The objective of this study was to investigate the use of infrared thermography (IRT) for detection of foot lesions in dairy cattle. Thermal images of the rear feet of 139 lactating dairy cows were taken with a thermal camera and evaluated using imaging software. Foot lesions identified in the study included white line disease (WLD), sole ulcer (SU) and digital dermatitis (DD). Temperatures at the coronary band (CBT) and the skin (ST) were recorded. Cows were scored for locomotion on a scale of 1–5 (1 = normal and 5 = severely lame). CBT was higher for all types of foot lesion (34.1 ± 2.3, 33.8 ± 1.6 and 33.1 ± 1.6°C for WLD, SU and DD, respectively) than for healthy (32.6 ± 1.9°C) feet. ST was higher only for WLD (33.2 ± 2.0°C) compared to healthy feet (31.5 ± 1.7°C). ΔT (temperature difference between CBT and ST) was higher for SU (2.1 ± 0.8°C) than healthy feet (1.1 ± 0.9°C). Locomotion scores (LSs) were similar between healthy cows (2.2 ± 0.7) and DD (2.4 ± 0.7) but greater for SU and WLD cows (3.0 ± 0.9, 3.0 ± 0.8) than healthy cows. The threshold values established for CBT and ST were 33.5°C (sensitivity = 77.8%, specificity = 65.2%) and 33.7°C (sensitivity = 44.4%, specificity = 92.9%) for SU, and 34.4^oC (sensitivity = 28.1%, specificity = 88.6%) and 31.8°C (sensitivity = 60.7%, specificity = 55.4%) for overall lesion, respectively. These results indicate that IRT can be a useful tool for detection of SU, but not WLD and DD. In addition, CBT and ΔT were the best indicators for the detection of foot lesions.

The objectives of this experiment were to evaluate the accuracy of ultrasonography to measure subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT) and LM traits (area, depth, and width) in live Awassi lambs of different sexes, predict actual SFT and LM traits without damage to the carcass, and improve carcass classification. Data were obtained from ultrasound scans of 20 female and 10 male lambs. Female lambs were randomly divided into light (FL; n = 10) and heavy (FH; n = 10) finishing groups. Slaughter weights of lambs in FL were 30 kg and for FH and male groups were 40 kg. Subcutaneous fat thickness and LM traits, cross-sectional area between the 12th and 13th rib were measured using real-time ultrasound in vivo and on the carcass after slaughter. All ultrasound and carcass measurements were different (P > 0.05) except carcass yield and carcass LM width in female lambs (FL and FH). Between different sex groups, all ultrasound and carcass measurements were the same except ultrasound SFT (USFT; P = 0.04) and carcass SFT (CSFT; P = 0.03). Significant correlation coefficients were between USFT and CSFT (0.93, P < 0.01; 0.76, P = 0.02), ultrasound LM depth (ULMD) and carcass LM depth (CLMD; 0.64, P = 0.05; 0.77, P < 0.01), and ultrasound LM area (ULMA) and carcass LM area (CLMA; 0.88, 0.84; P < 0.01) for female lambs in FL and FH groups. Also, similar correlations were determined significantly between USFT and CSFT (0.84, P < 0.01; 0.76, P = 0.02), ULMD and CLMD (0.69, P = 0.03; 0.77, P < 0.01), and ULMA and CLMA (0.88, 0.84; P < 0.01) for male lambs in male and FH groups. The introduction of USFT and ULMA as independent variables in addition to BW in the multiple regression equations further improved the variations for CSFT (88, 75, and 81%) and CLMA (78, 90, and 80%) for lambs in FL, FH, and male groups, respectively, whereas no improvement was observed for cold carcass weight with the exception of the FH group and carcass yield. These results indicate that in vivo USFT and ULMA in association with BW could be used to estimate CSFT, CLMA, and cold carcass weight ultrasound findings about LM, and SFT can be included to the selection programs for different BW and sex of Awassi lambs. Copyright © 2010. American Society of Animal Science .

Glucosinolates are important bioactive molecules and widely found in Brassicaceae species (cress, brussels sprouts, mustard, broccoli, kale etc.). Depending on the amount of these vegetables consumed, both positive and negative metabolic effects from glucosinolate metabolites may occur. The aim of this study was to investigate inexpensive animal food sources that both increase weight gain and provide enhanced performance parameters without adversely affecting the animal’s health and metabolism; to evaluate dose adjustment of food containing glucosinolates in animals; and to evaluate changes in the biochemical and performance status of chickens on the glucosinolate containing diets. Day-old Ross 308 broiler line chicks (624) were divided into 1 control and 3 treatment groups. Cress seed (Lepidium sativum) was added 0.05% for the first treatment group (group 1, 10g/kg), 0.10% for the second treatment group (group 2, 20g/kg) and 0.15% for the last treatment groups (group 3, 30 g/kg) to the diet. Serum samples were evaluated for serum glucose, adiponectin, leptin, growth hormone, estradiol and cortisol levels. Feed intake, live body weight gain and feed conversion ratio were investigated for performance parameters. The results showed that dietary cress seed supplementation as feed additive (10, 20 and 30 g/kg) did not significantly improve the dietary performance, or carcass parameters of broiler chickens. Feed intake was the highest in group 2 (20g/kg), female live weight was the highest in group 2 (20 g/kg) and 3 (30 g/kg).