Effect of a Protein-Energy Supplement of Low Consumption with Coconut Pulp Expeller (<i>Acrocomia aculeata</i>) of Beef Cattle at Pasture

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of a low consumption protein-energy supplement that incorporates 15% of coconut pulp expeller in bovine animals. These pasture fattening cattle were checked on daily weight gain, supplement consumption and efficiency of pasture use. This study was carried out in a livestock establishment in the Department of Concepción, Paraguay. A total of 108 animals were selected;castrated male bovines, 342 ± 30.2 of body weight (BW), age average 28 months, Nelore breed distributed in 2 treatments (T1 and T2): T1 = 42 animals;control group (pasture + conventional mineral salt) and T2 = 66 animals;treatment group with a protein-energy supplement (pasture + protein-energy supplement with minerals). In both treatments, the animals grazed on pasture of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandú and Panincum maximaun cv. Tanzania used a system of pasture rotation of 1 - 3 days of occupation and 35 - 40 days of rest. The average daily weight gain (DG) was 0.82 and 0.83 kg/day (p > 0.05), the supplement consumption was 0.1 and 0.28 kg/day per animal and the % disappearance of the biomass of 18 and 23% for T1 and T2, respectively. In conclusion, there was no evident effect on DG of protein-energy

Effects of primovaccination and booster vaccination on serum cortisol and humoral immune response in cattle

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of one or two doses of the anti-rabies vaccination on the serum concentration of cortisol and the humoral immune response in cattle as well as the correlation between serum cortisol concentrations and the titers of rabies-neutralizing antibodies. Nelore cattle were randomly assigned to one of three groups, which were vaccinated with one dose of rabies vaccine (group GVSR, N = 15), two doses of rabies vaccine (group GVR, N = 15) or were not vaccinated (group Gc, N = 15). A commercial liquid inactivated rabies vaccine was used. The stressors imposed on the cattle were vaccination, corral handling and the presence of people. Blood samples were collected on days 0, 30 and 60 post-vaccination. Serum cortisol concentrations were determined using a solid-phase radioimmunoassay, and rabies antibody titers were determined using a serum neutralization test with BHK21 cells (RFFIT). Both serum cortisol concentrations and antibody titers increased after the second (booster) vaccination (P < 0.05). In all the groups, the serum cortisol concentrations increased after the cattle were handled in the corral (P < 0.05). No correlation was observed between the serum cortisol concentrations and the antibody titers with any treatment or on any observation day. In conclusion, booster vaccination is indispensable for primovaccinated cattle in achieving high and protective levels of rabies antibodies. Although booster vaccination and frequent cattle handling in corrals are stressors, the response is not strong enough to cause immunosuppression in cattle.

Diet in irritable bowel syndrome: What to recommend, not what to forbid to patients.

A substantial proportion of patients with irritable bowel syndrome(IBS) associate their symptoms with the ingestion of specific foods. Therefore, in recent years, scientific research has increasingly focused on the role of diet in IBS and dietary management is now considered an important tool in IBS treatment. This article reviews the main dietary approaches in IBS emphasizing evidence from experimental and observational studies and summarizing the main diet and lifestyle recommendations provided by dietary guidelines and scientific literature. Despite the limited evidence for a beneficial role, general advice on healthy eating and lifestyle is recommended as the first-line approach in the dietary management of IBS. Standard recommendations include adhering to a regular meal pattern, reducing intake of insoluble fibers, alcohol, caffeine, spicy foods, and fat, as well as performing regular physical activity and ensuring a good hydration. Second-line dietary approach should be considered where IBS symptoms persist and recommendations include following a low FODMAP diet, to be delivered only by a healthcare professional with expertise in dietary management. The efficacy of this diet is supported by a growing body of evidence. In contrast, the role of lactose or gluten dietary restriction in the treatment of IBS remains subject to ongoing research with a lack of high-quality evidence. Likewise, further clinical trials are needed to conclude the efficacy of probiotics on IBS symptoms.