Large or Food Animal and Equine Medicine Commons^™

Evaluation Of A Field-Deployable Reverse Transcription-Insulated Isothermal Pcr For Rapid And Sensitive On-Site Detection Of Zika Virus, Mariano Carossino, Yanqiu Li, Pei-Yu A. Lee, Chuan-Fu Tsai, Pin-Hsing Chou, Dennis Williams, Ashley Skillman, R. Frank Cook, Grayson Brown, Hsiao-Fen G. Chang, Hwa-Tang T. Wang, Udeni B. R. Balasuriya

Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center Faculty Publications

Background: The recent emergence of Zika virus (ZIKV) in Brazil and its precipitous expansion throughout the Americas has highlighted the urgent need for a rapid and reliable on-site diagnostic assay suitable for viral detection. Such point-of-need (PON), low-cost diagnostics are essential for ZIKV control in vulnerable areas with limited resources.

Methods: We developed and evaluated a ZIKV-specific field-deployable RT-iiPCR reagent set targeting the E gene for rapid detection of ZIKV in ZIKV-spiked human and mosquito specimens, and compared its performance to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) RT-qPCR assays targeting the E …

An In-Depth Look At Stall Contamination: A Total Of 28 Substances Were Identified In Charles Town Ship-In Stalls As A Mix Of Human Medications And Recreational Substances With Some Actual Equine Medications, Clara Fenger, Maria Catignani, Jake Machin, Thomas Tobin

Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Symptoms And Causes Of Foamy Bloat In Cattle, Zachary Christman

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The bovine stomach normally produces gases such as ammonia, carbon dioxide and methane. However when these gases become trapped in the bovine stomach because of a thick, frothy or foamy liquid it is called bloat. Cattle bloat is a very old condition and goes by many names but is primarily trapped gas within the bovine stomach. Readily digested feedstuff such as highly processed grain diets or an overabundance of fresh immature alfalfa often leads to a vast amount of small particles and carbohydrates in the rumen; this is the major cause of foamy bloat. Severe bloat causes death by suffocation …

Equine Arteritis Virus Elicits A Mucosal Antibody Response In The Reproductive Tract Of Persistently Infected Stallions, Mariano Carossino, Bettina Wagner, Alan T. Loynachan, R. Frank Cook, Igor F. Canisso, Lakshman Chelvarajan, Casey L. Edwards, Bora Nam, John F. Timoney, Peter J. Timoney, Udeni B. R. Balasuriya

Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center Faculty Publications

Equine arteritis virus (EAV) has the ability to establish persistent infection in the reproductive tract of the stallion (carrier) and is continuously shed in its semen. We have recently demonstrated that EAV persists within stromal cells and a subset of lymphocytes in the stallion accessory sex glands in the presence of a significant local inflammatory response. In the present study, we demonstrated that EAV elicits a mucosal antibody response in the reproductive tract during persistent infection with homing of plasma cells into accessory sex glands. The EAV-specific immunoglobulin isotypes in seminal plasma included IgA, IgG1, IgG3/5, and IgG4/7. Interestingly, seminal …

Medication Migration: The Charles Town Naproxen Experience And Why It Matters To All Racing Jurisdictions, Clara Fenger, Thomas Tobin

Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Hops (Humulus Lupulus L.) Bitter Acids: Modulation Of Rumen Fermentation And Potential As An Alternative Growth Promoter, Michael D. Flythe, Isabelle A. Kagan, Yuxi Wang, Nelmy Narvaez

Animal and Food Sciences Faculty Publications

Antibiotics can improve ruminant growth and efficiency by altering rumen fermentation via selective inhibition of microorganisms. However, antibiotic use is increasingly restricted due to concerns about the spread of antibiotic-resistance. Plant-based antimicrobials are alternatives to antibiotics in animal production. The hops plant (Humulus lupulus L.) produces a range of bioactive secondary metabolites, including antimicrobial prenylated phloroglucinols, which are commonly called alpha- and beta-acids. These latter compounds can be considered phyto-ionophores, phytochemicals with a similar antimicrobial mechanism of action to ionophore antibiotics (e.g., monensin, lasalocid). Like ionophores, the hop beta-acids inhibit rumen bacteria possessing a classical Gram-positive cell envelope. This …

Developing A 670k Genotyping Array To Tag ~2m Snps Across 24 Horse Breeds, Robert J. Schaefer, Mikkel Schubert, Ernest F. Bailey, Danika L. Bannasch, Eric Barrey, Gila Kahila Bar-Gal, Gottfried Brem, Samantha A. Brooks, Ottmar Distl, Ruedi Fries, Carrie J. Finno, Vinzenz Gerber, Bianca Haase, Vidhya Jagannathan, Ted Kalbfleisch, Tosso Leeb, Gabriella Lindgren, Maria Susana Lopes, Núria Mach, Artur Da Câmara Machado, James N. Macleod, Annette Mccoy, Julia Metzger, Cecilia Penedo, Sagi Polani, Stefan Rieder, Imke Tammen, Jens Tetens, Georg Thaller, Andrea Verini-Supplizi

Gluck Equine Research Center Faculty Publications

Background: To date, genome-scale analyses in the domestic horse have been limited by suboptimal single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) density and uneven genomic coverage of the current SNP genotyping arrays. The recent availability of whole genome sequences has created the opportunity to develop a next generation, high-density equine SNP array.

Results: Using whole genome sequence from 153 individuals representing 24 distinct breeds collated by the equine genomics community, we cataloged over 23 million de novo discovered genetic variants. Leveraging genotype data from individuals with both whole genome sequence, and genotypes from lower-density, legacy SNP arrays, a subset of ~5 million high-quality, …

Seroepidemiology Of Sarcocystis Neurona And Neospora Hughesi Infections In Domestic Donkeys (Equus Asinus) In Durango, Mexico, Cosme Alvarado-Esquivel, Daniel K. Howe, Michelle R. Yeargan, Domingo Alvarado-Esquivel, José Alfredo Zamarripa-Barboza, Jitender P. Dubey

Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center Faculty Publications

There is currently no information regarding Sarcocystis neurona and Neospora hughesi infections in donkeys in Mexico. Here, we determined the presence of antibodies against S. neurona and N. hughesi in donkeys in the northern Mexican state of Durango. Serum samples of 239 domestic donkeys (Equus asinus) were assayed for S. neurona and N. hughesi antibodies using home-made enzyme-linked immunoassays; six (2.5%) of the 239 donkeys tested seropositive for S. neurona. The seroprevalence of S. neurona infection was comparable among donkeys regardless of their origin, health status, or sex. Multivariate analysis showed that seropositivity to S. neurona was …

Equine Arteritis Virus Has Specific Tropism For Stromal Cells And Cd8+ T And Cd21+ B Lymphocytes But Not For Glandular Epithelium At The Primary Site Of Persistent Infection In The Stallion Reproductive Tract, Mariano Carossino, Alan T. Loynachan, Igor F. Canisso, Richard Frank Cook, Juliana Roberta Campos, Bora Nam, Yun Young Go, Edward L. Squires, Mats H. T. Troedsson, Thomas W. Swerczek, Fabio Del Piero, Ernest F. Bailey, Peter J. Timoney, Udeni B. R. Balasuriya

Veterinary Science Faculty Publications

Equine arteritis virus (EAV) has a global impact on the equine industry as the causative agent of equine viral arteritis (EVA), a respiratory, systemic, and reproductive disease of equids. A distinctive feature of EAV infection is that it establishes long-term persistent infection in 10 to 70% of infected stallions (carriers). In these stallions, EAV is detectable only in the reproductive tract, and viral persistence occurs despite the presence of high serum neutralizing antibody titers. Carrier stallions constitute the natural reservoir of the virus as they continuously shed EAV in their semen. Although the accessory sex glands have been implicated as …

No Lasix Racing: Good Idea Or Failed Experiment?, Clara Fenger, Thomas Tobin, Peter Ecabert

Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

A Serosurvey Of Selected Cystogenic Coccidia In Spanish Equids: First Detection Of Anti-Besnoitia Spp. Specific Antibodies In Europe, Daniel Gutiérrez-Expósito, Ignacio García-Bocanegra, Daniel K. Howe, Antonio Arenas-Montes, Michelle R. Yeargan, Sallyanne L. Ness, Luis M Ortega-Mora, G. Álvarez-García

Veterinary Science Faculty Publications

Background: Equine besnoitiosis, caused by Besnoitia bennetti, and equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM), caused by Sarcocystis neurona and Neospora hughesi are relevant equine diseases in the Americas that have been scarcely studied in Europe. Thus, a serosurvey of these cystogenic coccidia was carried out in Southern Spain. A cross-sectional study was performed and serum samples from horses (n = 553), donkeys (n = 85) and mules (n = 83) were included. An in-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to identify a Besnoitia spp. infection and positive results were confirmed by an a posteriori western blot. For Neospora …

Evaluation Of Six Serological Elisa Kits Available In Italy As Screening Tests For Equine Infectious Anaemia Surveillance, Roberto Nardini, Gian Luca Autorino, Charles J. Issel, Richard F. Cook, Ida Ricci, Raffaele Frontoso, Francesca Rosone, Maria Teresa Scicluna

Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center Faculty Publications

Background: ELISAs are known to have a higher diagnostic sensitivity than the agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) when employed for serological diagnosis of equine infectious anaemia (EIA). For this purpose, an “in-house” and five commercial ELISAs available in Italy were assessed by the National Reference Centre for EIA for their analytic specificity (Sp); precocity, defined as capability of detecting first antibodies produced during a new infection; precision based on repeatability and reproducibility, estimated from the coefficient of variation (CV); accuracy, estimated from multiple K and relative Sp and sensitivity (Se). Two serum panels, positive for non-equine retroviruses and the most frequent …

Evaluation Of Circulating Mirnas During Late Pregnancy In The Mare, Shavahn C. Loux, Kirsten E. Scoggin, Jason E. Bruemmer, Igor F. Canisso, Mats H. T. Troedsson, Edward L. Squires, Barry A. Ball

Veterinary Science Faculty Publications

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNAs which are produced throughout the body. Individual tissues tend to have a specific expression profile and excrete many of these miRNAs into circulation. These circulating miRNAs may be diagnostically valuable biomarkers for assessing the presence of disease while minimizing invasive testing. In women, numerous circulating miRNAs have been identified which change significantly during pregnancy-related complications (e.g. chorioamnionitis, eclampsia, recurrent pregnancy loss); however, no prior work has been done in this area in the horse. To identify pregnancy-specific miRNAs, we collected serial whole blood samples in pregnant mares at 8, 9, 10 m of gestation …

Out In The Cold: Ingredients In Over-The-Counter Cold Medicines Can Wreak Havod On A Trainer's Livelihood And An Owner's Prized Racehorse, Clara Fenger, Tanya Boulmetis, Thomas Tobin

Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Exogenous Lactobacilli Mitigate Microbial Changes Associated With Grain Fermentation (Corn, Oats, And Wheat) By Equine Fecal Microflora Ex Vivo, Brittany E. Harlow, Laurie M. Lawrence, Patricia A. Harris, Glen E. Aiken, Michael D. Flythe

Animal and Food Sciences Faculty Publications

Cereal grains are often included in equine diets. When starch intake exceeds foregut digestion starch will reach the hindgut, impacting microbial ecology. Probiotics (e.g., lactobacilli) are reported to mitigate GI dysbioses in other species. This study was conducted to determine the effect of exogenous lactobacilli on pH and the growth of amylolytic and lactate-utilizing bacteria. Feces were collected from 3 mature geldings fed grass hay with access to pasture. Fecal microbes were harvested by differential centrifugation, washed, and re-suspended in anaerobic media containing ground corn, wheat, or oats at 1.6% (w/v) starch and one of five …

Detection Of Strongylus Vulgaris In Equine Faecal Samples By Real-Time Pcr And Larval Culture – Method Comparison And Occurrence Assessment, A. Kaspar, K. Pfister, Martin K. Nielsen, C. Silaghi, H. Fink, M. C. Scheuerle

Veterinary Science Faculty Publications

Background: Strongylus vulgaris has become a rare parasite in Germany during the past 50 years due to the practice of frequent prophylactic anthelmintic therapy. To date, the emerging development of resistance in Cyathostominae and Parascaris spp. to numerous equine anthelmintics has changed deworming management and the frequency of anthelmintic usage. In this regard, reliable detection of parasitic infections, especially of the highly pathogenic S. vulgaris is essential. In the current study, two diagnostic methods for the detection of infections with S. vulgaris were compared and information on the occurrence of this parasite in German horses was gained. For this purpose, …

Relationship Between Dietary Total Digestible Nutrients And Digestible Organic Matter In Beef Cattle Finishing And Growing Diets With Or Without Distillers Grains, Hannah C. Hamilton, Jana L. Gramkow, Jim C. Macdonald Donald, Galen E. Erickson, Andrea K. Watson, Terry J. Klopfenstein

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The relationship between organic matter digestibility and total digestible nutrients is unestablished for diets containing distillers grains. Three cattle digestion studies were used to evaluate the relationship between total digestible nutrients and digestible organic matter. Results suggest digestible organic matter is consistent relative to total digestible nutrients content for traditional, corn based diets. In finishing and growing diets containing distillers grains additional digestible energy supplied by distillers grains is not accounted for when evaluating only digestible organic matter. Measuring digestible energy content of diets used in digestion trials is essential.

Evaluation Of The Value Of Fiber In Distillers Grains Plus Solubles On Performance Of Finishing Cattle, Jordan E. Burhoop, Liesel J. Schneider, Curtis J. Bittner Bittner, F. Henry Hilscher, Jim C. Macdonald, Rodney A. Moxley, David R. Smith, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A finishing study was conducted to determine the value of the fiber in distillers grains plus solubles on cattle performance. Five treatments were evaluated: a corn control diet, 20 or 40% modified distillers grains plus solubles, plus two diets containing corn germ meal and corn bran balanced to equal the fiber content of the two modified distillers grains plus solubles diets. Th ere was a significant improvement in ADG and F:G for cattle fed modified distillers grains plus solubles compared to control. Cattle fed the corn germ meal and bran diets had increased DMI, slightly lower ADG, and poorer F:G …

The Effect Of Supplementing Mannan Oligosaccharide Or Finely Ground Fiber, During The Summer On Body Temperature, Performance, And Blood Metabolites Of Finishing Steers, Bradley M. Boyd, Terry L. Mader, Curtis J. Bittner Bittner, Henry Hilscher, Gene Wijffels, John B. Gaughan, Megan Sullivan, Judy Cawdell- Smith, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Crossbred beef steers (12 pens, n=96) were used to determine the effect of adding Agrimos or 5% ground (1 in.) wheat straw compared to a control on body temperature, panting score and performance. Th ere were no differences in final BW, ADG, and DMI among treatments. Feed conversion was increased for cattle fed 5% additional ground straw when compared to control and Agrimos. Hot carcass weight, dressing %, LM area, and marbling score were not different among treatments. Cattle fed the control had greater 12th rib fat depth and USDA yield grade than cattle fed straw or Agrimos. Both average …

Effect Of Salt Reduction On The Quality And Shelf Life Characteristics Of Deli-Style Roast Beef, Chad G. Bower, Regan E. Stanley, Samodha Fernando Fernando, Gary A. Sullivan

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Concerns with excessive sodium intake have led to increased pressure on meat processors to reduce added salt in meat products. Quality characteristics and microbial growth were evaluated on deli- style roast beef slices formulated to contain varying concentrations of added salt. Salt concentration had no effect on microbial community composition, however increasing salt slowed microbial growth over time. Increasing salt increased cooking yield and decreased water activity. Salt reduction negatively impacts the texture, yield, and shelf life of deli- style roast beef, however salt concentrations within this range do not significantly alter spoilage flora community composition.

Effect Of Crude Glycerin Concentration On Growing Steer Performance In Forage Diets, Robert G. Bondurant, Galen E. Erickson, Terry J. Klopfenstein Klopfenstein, James C. Macdonald

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The effect of increasing crude glycerin concentration was evaluated in a 91- d growing trial utilizing 60 steers. Crude glycerin was included at 0, 4, 8, and 12% of dietary DM in diets consisting of 50% wheat straw; 22.9- 37.0% wet corn bran, and 8.0- 10.1% soybean meal. Crude glycerin replaced wet corn bran and soybean meal was added to maintain dietary CP. Steer ending BW was not different among treatments. Th ere was a quadratic increase in DMI from 0 to 8% crude glycerin and subsequent decrease at 12%. Th ere was no difference in ADG or feed efficiency …

Development Of Terminal And Maternal Economic Selection Indices In Beefmaster Cattle, Kathleen P. Ochsner, Michael D. Macneil, Ronald M. Lewis, Matthew L. Spangler

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Two economic selection indices were developed for Beefmaster cattle, one for a terminal objective and one for a maternal objective. The terminal index was developed assuming bulls would be mated to mature cows with all resulting progeny harvested. The maternal index was developed assuming bulls would be mated to a combination of heifers and mature cows, with resulting progeny retained as replacements or sold at weaning. Relative economic values for the terminal objective traits hot carcass weight, marbling score, ribeye area, 12th- rib fat and feed intake were 91.29, 17.01, 8.38,- 7.07 and- 29.66, respectively. Relative economic values for the …

Organic Acids And Applications Used For Reduction Of E. Coli On Beef Shoulder Clods Used For Ground Beef, Kelly A. Mccarty, Gary A. Sullivan, Dennis E. Burson Burson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Small processors normally grind beef shoulder clods for ground beef that have not been previously tested for shiga toxin-producing E. coli. Three antimicrobial solutions were applied using three application methods to beef sub-primals to evaluate the effectiveness of reducing E. coli and the effects on quality attributes. Antimicrobials effectively reduced Rifampicin resistant E. coli. However, none of the treatments changed color attributes or total plate counts compared to a control. These results suggest that an appropriate antimicrobial solution and application method can be selected for use by small meat processors without affecting quality attributes.

The Influence Of Diet And Oxidation On Calcium Retention Of The Mitochondria In Fresh Beef, Emery K. Kunze, Nicolas J. Herrera, Katherine I. Domenech-Perez Perez, Michael D. Chao, Chris R. Calkins

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Feeding dried distillers grains (DG) may influence calcium flux postmortem by disrupting the stability of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) membrane, thus leading to a higher post- rigor calcium leakage, resulting in greater activation of calpains and improved tenderness. Mitochondria provide the opportunity to study calcium flux in a controlled, tightly defined environment as a model system for the SR. Cattle were finished on diets containing either 0% DG or 50% DG. Feeding DG increased proportions of PUFA in the SR and mitochondrial membrane. Oxidized mitochondria retained less calcium than non- oxidized mitochondria. Mitochondria from cattle finished on corn tended to …

Comparison Of Diets Collected From Esophageally Fistulated Cows To Forage Quality Estimated From Fecal Analysis, Bethany M. Johnston, Jay D. Jenkins, Jacqueline A. Musgrave Musgrave, L. A. Stalker, Mitchell B. Stephenson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Differences in forage quality (crude protein and energy) were analyzed between esophageally fistulated diets, analysis of fecal samples with Nutrition Balance Analyzer (NUTBAL) analysis, and analysis of handclipped forage samples. On upland range sites, hand- clipped samples provided forage quality estimates that were closer to esophageally fistulated diets than samples analyzed with the NUTBAL analysis. Aft er one year of data collection, it appears that there may be some inconstancies with the NUTBAL analysis for estimates on rangeland forage quality in the Nebraska Sandhills. More data is needed to verify these results; however, making management supplementations decisions solely on the …

Summer Cocktail Forage Research In The Panhandle Of Nebraska, Karla H. Jenkins, Cody Creech, Robert Higgins Higgins, Josh Buttle

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Four annual forage mixtures containing brown mid- rib sorghum sudangrass or German foxtail millet, cowpeas or soybeans, and forage collards were compared to the sorghum sudangrass or millet as monocultures in the Nebraska High Plains on dryland acres to determine the tonnage, crude protein, and digestibility available for beef cattle. Th e forage mixtures and the millet resulted in greater crude protein than the sorghum sudangrass. Total digestible nutrients of the mixers were similar. Sorghum sudangrass resulted in the most tonnage. These forage options could have been hayed or windrow grazed in the fall and would have likely resulted in …

Impact Of Inoculum Source For In Vitro And In Situ Digestion Procedures Performed On Corn Residue And Grass Samples, Hannah C. Hamilton, Jana L. Harding, Jim C. Macdonald Donald, Terry J. Klopfenstein

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A study was conducted to assess the effects of inoculum source at time of incubation on neutral detergent fiber digestibility, dry matter digestibility, and organic matter digestibility of corn residue samples. Digestibility of neutral detergent fiber was greater for both grass and corn residue when inoculum source came from steers consuming a high corn residue diet. Digestibility of dry matter and organic matter were not different between grass and corn residue. It is not necessary to maintain two sets of donors for in vitro or in situ procedures involving corn residue. However, donor diet affects neutral detergent fiber digestibility estimates …

Evaluation Of Plant- Waxes To Estimate Forage Intake In Grazing Cattle, Hannah C. Hamilton, Jerry D. Volesky, Robert M. Lewis Lewis

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Although key to the efficiency of a cattle operation, feed intake is challenging to evaluate in a grazing setting. However, even within forage- based systems, plant- wax markers may be used to predict dietary choices and feed intake. Plant- waxes are a complex mixture of lipids found on the surface of plants. When sufficiently unique among plants, the composition of diets can be determined from the pattern of these compounds in the forages ingested. These markers were used to delineate the parts of the corn plant and, separately, 8 western rangeland grasses and legumes. Using plant waxes, the components of …

Evaluating The Impacts Of Field Peas In Growing And Finishing Diets On Performance And Carcass Characteristics, Hannah L. Greenwell, Karla Jenkins, Jim C. Macdonald Donald, Matt K. Luebbe

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The impact of field peas as a grazing supplement and a component of finishing diets on performance and carcass characteristics was evaluated over two years. During grazing, cattle supplemented with field peas had a greater ending body weight and average daily gain than cattle that received no supplement. However, cattle supplemented with corn had greater average daily gain than both peas and control cattle. Overall, those cattle not supplemented during grazing compensated 53% and 88% when compared to those cattle supplemented corn and peas, respectively. Inclusion of field peas in grower supplement or finishing diets may be advantageous if appropriately …

Effects Of Field Pea Supplementation On Digestibility And Rumen Volatile Fatty Acid Concentration Of Diets Containing High And Low Quality Forages, Hannah L. Greenwell, Jana L. Gramkow, Melissa L. Jolly-Breithaupt Breithaupt, Jim C. Macdonald, Karla Jenkins

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Five ruminally cannulated steers were used to evaluate the effects of supplementation (no supplement, field peas, or dry rolled corn; 0.43% BW) with high and low quality forages on diet digestibility and rumen volatile fatty acid concentrations. Th e inclusion of field peas increased dry matter intake and organic matter digestibility over dry rolled corn and unsupplemented steers. Propionate proportions were less for field peas and control treatments than dry rolled corn, while acetate proportions increased in field peas, and control treatments as compared to dry rolled corn. As a result, acetate to propionate ratio was reduced when dry rolled …