Honors Theses & Abstracts - 2008
The Effects of Group-Housing on the Behavior of Domestic Cats (Felix Sylvestris Catus) in an Animal Shelter
Caroline S. Monk
Under the supervision of Dr. Katherine Albro Houpt
Mentor’s Lab: College of Veterinary Medicine
This study investigates the effects of group housing on the stress and behavior of domestic cats in an animal shelter. Twenty-four cats one-year of age and older were observed in the Tompkins County SPCA for three consecutive days. All behavior was continuously recorded. Density of cats in the room and length of stay at the shelter were also recorded. To measure the effects of group housing on a cat’s behavior in relation to humans, a temperament test was performed each month for four months on a separate group of twenty-nine cats from the Tompkins County SPCA.
A reduction in stress was noted in cats staying in the shelter for over 8 months. These cats had a reduced ratio of negative (aggressive or defensive) interactions to total interactions, slept a more normal amount, and did not have inhibited grooming or movement. The number of cats in the room was correlated with an increased activity level and decreased sleep, because larger rooms had more human traffic. Negative interactions were positively correlated with time spent eating, indicating that cats had to stop avoidance behavior in order to reach the communal food bowl. The score the cat received on the temperament test did not vary significantly between test months.
Results indicate that the entry to the shelter environment is stressful, and the adjustment to group housing takes over 8 months. A four month stay in group housing did not seem to affect the temperament of a cat in relation to its behavior towards humans.
Effect of linoleic acid and dietary vitamin E supplementation on maintenance of conjugated linoleic acid production in milk fat from dairy cows
Neil S. Mittelman
Under the supervision of Dr. Dale E. Bauman
Department of Animal Science
Conjugated linoleic acid (cis-9, trans-11 18:2, CLA), a bioactive fatty acid (FA) found in dairy products, has potential human health benefits. Milk fat CLA can be increased by diet, but high levels are difficult to maintain as rumen biohydrogenation shifts resulting in milk fat depression (MFD). We feed a typical corn based-diet and investigated if vitamin E and soybean oil supplementation would sustain enhanced milk fat CLA without MFD. Holstein cows (n = 48) were assigned to a randomized complete block and received (28 d) one of four treatments: 1) control (C), 2) 10,000 IU/d vitamin E (E), 3) 2.5% soybean oil (Oil), and 4) vitamin E plus soybean oil (Oil/E). Percent milk fat decreased in both oil diets. Milk yield, however, was increased by the Oil/E diet; therefore milk fat yield was lower only for cows fed the Oil diet. Milk protein percent was higher for cows fed the Oil diet. Milk fat concentration of CLA more than doubled in cows fed the oil diets, with concomitant increases in trans-10 and trans-11 18:1 FA. Furthermore, milk fat from the oil diets had 34% more long chain preformed FA and 31% less de novo synthesized FA. Dietary soybean oil supplementation caused a reduction in milk fat and a shift in FA composition characteristic of MFD. Dietary vitamin E failed to overcome the oil-induced reduction in milk fat percent or changes in FA profile, but mitigated the reduction in fat yield by increasing milk yield.
Effect of dietary fat level on the ability of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) to inhibit milk fat synthesis in lactating mice
Megan M. Robblee
Under the supervision of Dale E. Bauman
Department of Animal Science
Trans-10, cis-12 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a fatty acid intermediate produced during rumen biohydrogenation of dietary linoleic acid and is a potent inhibitor of milk fat synthesis in the cow. This effect of CLA has also been demonstrated in rodent models. The present study aimed to determine whether dietary fat level affects the response of the mammary gland to CLA in lactating mice. Wild type C57Bl/6J mice (n=31) nursing 6-8 pups were fed semi-purified diets containing either 4% fat (LF) or 24% fat (HF) starting 4-6 d after parturition. High oleic acid sunflower oil was substituted for corn starch to increase the fat content of the HF diet. After a 2 d pretreatment period, dams were orally dosed with water (control) or trans-10, cis-12 CLA (20 mg/d) for 5 d. CLA treatment decreased growth of the nursing litter similarly for both diets; no effect of dietary fat or interaction with CLA was observed. Milk fat percent was increased 16-17% by the HF diet and decreased 12-13% by CLA. Both CLA and the HF diet reduced the proportion of short and medium chain fatty acids in milk fat; these originate from de novo synthesis in the mammary gland. Conversely, the milk fat concentration of fatty acids >16 carbons in length was increased 62-63% by the HF diet, and substantial incorporation of dietary oleic acid into milk fat was observed. In conclusion, CLA caused a reduction in milk fat percent and litter growth that was not overcome by increased dietary fat.
Whistle Production Rates in a Group of Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) among Changes in Group Composition in Sardinia, Italy
Courtney N. Patson
Under the supervision of Debbie Cherney
Department of Animal Science
And Bruno Díaz López
Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute
This study focused on the whistle characteristics and production rates of a resident group of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Golfo Aranci, Sardinia, Italy. All recordings and observations were conducted at the local fish farm located 200 meters from the shore in Golfo Aranci. Three hundred and eighty minutes of underwater sounds were recorded using a single hydrophone system during the months of June and July 2007. Whistles were separated both according to group size and group composition for statistical analysis. The acoustic characteristics of 176 whistles were classified based on eight parameters and compared with data of previous studies. A significant positive correlation (r = 0.457, p ≤ 0.001) was observed between whistle rates and group size observed at the time of measurement, supporting our hypothesis that whistle rates increase in groups of larger numbers as compared to groups of smaller numbers. Additionally, whistle production rates of adults in the presence of an immature calf showed a significant difference to those of any other group (p ≤ 0.05) having a higher whistle production rate (median = 0.5 whistles/minute/individual), while all other groups were not significantly different in the production of whistles (p values > 0.05, median = 0 whistles/minute/individual). Whistles recorded at Golfo Aranci were of longer duration and higher maximum and minimum frequencies than previous studies. The results suggest that bottlenose dolphin whistle rates are affected by both group size and composition, with higher whistle rates in larger groups and in the presence of immature dolphins.
Effects of gestational exposure to mercury on mitogen and antigen-specific immune responses
Lauren A. Weiler
Under the supervision of Jerrie Gavalchin
Department of Animal Science
Because in utero exposure to mercury has been shown to induce phenotypic changes in fetal immune cells that persist in adult offspring, we examined the effects of in utero exposure to mercuric chloride (HgCl2) on the immune response to an antigen, DNP-KLH. Pregnant BALB/c dams received either plain tap water or water containing 10ppm HgCl2 ad libitum throughout gestation, and were switched to plain water after parturition. Adult offspring were immunized with 100μg DNP-KLH, and six weeks later, splenocytes were analyzed for immune phenotype and function. HgCl2 exposure resulted in alterations in splenocyte phenotype in response to DNP-KLH in male and female mice and increased proliferation of splenic lymphocytes to ConA or LPS; in female mice, there was a specific increase in the proliferative response to LPS. HgCl2 exposure did not affect IL-2 production by splenocytes in response to DNP-KLH. There was no effect of HgCl2 exposure on IFN-γ or IL-4 production; however, the production of IFN-γ or IL-4 in response to DNP-KLH was greater in mercury-exposed male versus female mice. IL-10 production by splenocytes in response to ConA was greater in mercury-exposed male versus female mice. After cells were cultured in media alone, cells from male mice produced greater levels of DNP-KLH-specific IgG as a result of HgCl2 exposure during gestation. HgCl2 exposure did not significantly affect the production of the DNP-KLH-specific immunoglobulins in response to DNP-KLH. Taken together, these data suggest that in utero exposure to HgCl2 may result in long-term gender-specific alterations of immune system responses.
Effect of Trace Mineral Amount and Source on Aspects of Immune Function in Dairy Cows
Desirèe Gentile
Under the supervision of Dr. Thomas Overton
Department of Animal Science
Previous studies have shown a relationship between trace mineral supplementation and improved immune function. In this experiment, 48 multiparous Holstein cows were utilized to determine if trace mineral supplementation of inorganic or chelated organic sources at National Research Council or higher commercial levels would exhibit improved immune function after vaccination with a mastitis vaccine (J-5) and during a LPS challenge. Cows were fed a diet formulated to meet or exceed NRC (2001) requirements for all nutrients except the trace minerals of interest: Zn, Cu, and Mn. Cows were then assigned to four treatments containing organic or inorganic trace mineral sources at commercial or NRC levels. At the end of week two of treatment, cows were administered a J-5 vaccine and blood samples were collected to measure level of IgG production. At the end of week six of treatment cows were subjected to an intramammary LPS challenge. Heart rate and rectal temperature were measured and blood samples were drawn throughout the eight-hour challenge at thirty-minute intervals and again at 24 and 48 hours post challenge. Plasma IgG levels from samples collected on a weekly basis were highest for cows supplemented trace minerals in an organic form regardless of amount. Heart rate and rectal temperatures following LPS challenge did not vary between treatments. Overall, results imply that supplementation of trace minerals in chelated organic form improves immune function and may be an effective tool in enhancing cattle health. However, further study is warranted to determine the optimal level of trace mineral supplementation.
Honors Theses - 2007
“Comparison of Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns Between Salmonella enterica Subsp. Enterica and Escherichia coli in Dairy Calves” - Alexandra J. M. Abramson
“Effect of Changes in Weaning Age on Carcass Traits in Forage Finished Beef Cattle” - Christopher T. Corrado
“Construction and Optimization of an Interferon Gamma Dipstick Assay for the Detection of Antigen-Specific Cell Mediated Immune Responses” - Mara Elton
“Reindeer Nutrition and Pasture Analysis in the Mongolian Taiga” - Meagan Flenniken
“Maturity of the Lamb Immune System” - Mabel E. Gailor
“Effects of Concentrate Addition on In Vitro Rumen Fluid pH and Forage Fiber Digestion” - Kristan F. Reed
“Effects of Age, Dominance, and Mating System on Vocal Consistency in Mockingbirds (Aves: Mimidae)” - Rachel J. Rossman