ORCID Profile
0000-0002-7227-230X
Current Organisation
Murdoch University
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Publisher: Wiley
Date: 10-1997
DOI: 10.1111/J.1751-0813.1997.TB12263.X
Abstract: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most frequent primary hepatic malignancy and a leading cause of cancer-related death globally. HCC is associated with an indolent clinical presentation, resulting in frequent advanced stage diagnoses where surgical resection or transplant therapies are not an option and medical therapies are largely ineffective at improving survival. As such, there is a critical need to identify and enhance primary prevention strategies to mitigate HCC-related morbidity and mortality. Obesity is an independent risk factor for the onset and progression of HCC. Furthermore, obesity is a leading cause of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), the fasting growing etiological factor of HCC. Herein, we review evolving clinical and mechanistic associations between obesity and hepatocarcinogenesis with an emphasis on the therapeutic efficacy of prevailing lifestyle/behavioral, medical, and surgical treatment strategies for weight reduction and NASH reversal.
Publisher: Elsevier
Date: 2014
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 04-2006
DOI: 10.2527/2006.844972X
Abstract: Two experiments were conducted to investigate the physiological responses of Bos taurus (Angus cross, n = 6) and Bos indicus (Brahman, n = 6) cattle to prolonged heat and humidity, as can occur during live export by sea. Each experiment was carried out in climate-controlled rooms, where heifers were exposed to 15 d of sustained heat and humidity. The treatment was designed to be representative of a long-haul, live-export voyage leaving a southern Australian winter and traveling to a Middle Eastern summer. Wet bulb temperature (WBT) was used to give a combined measure of dry bulb temperature and relative humidity and was increased over several days, culminating in 5 d at 32 degrees C WBT between d 7 and 11. By d 11, the respiratory rate and core body temperature increased (P < 0.001) compared with values at lower ambient temperature on d 1 and 2 when climate-controlled rooms were not operating. Feed intake of Bos taurus was reduced (P < 0.001) by d 11, whereas that of Bos indicus did not change (P = 0.14). Despite no diurnal variation in climatic conditions, core body temperature of both Bos taurus and Bos indicus continued to show a circadian litude of approximately 1 degrees C throughout the hottest period. This litude increased during the recovery period after heat was removed (up to 1.8 degrees C for Bos indicus and 1.6 degrees C for Bos taurus). Water intake for both Bos taurus and Bos indicus increased when WBT increased (P < 0.01 on d 11). Significant acid-base and blood electrolyte imbalances occurred in both Bos taurus and Bos indicus, with changes in Bos taurus being more substantial and prolonged. The increase in respiratory rate coincided with a decrease in the partial pressures of carbon dioxide and bicarbonate in venous blood. However, during the hottest period, average daily venous blood pH remained unchanged. When the heat load was reduced after d 11, the blood pH decreased, indicating metabolic acidosis. Blood pH declined from 7.44 to 7.36 for Bos taurus (P < 0.001) and from 7.44 to 7.38 for Bos indicus (P < 0.001). Other parameters measured include heart rate packed cell volume plasma and urine Na, K, and Cl urine pH and specific gravity. Our results suggest that Bos taurus cattle experience significant physiological changes during exposure to prolonged and continuous high heat and humidity, with alterations persisting for some days after the heat-stress conditions subside. Bos indicus experience similar but less pronounced physiological changes.
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 2014
DOI: 10.1071/AN13020
Abstract: Qualitative behavioural assessment (QBA) has been used to quantify the expressive behaviour of animals, and operant tests have been used to quantify measures of behavioural need. In this study we compared measures of behavioural expression and behaviour in operant tests. We examined the behavioural expression of pregnant ewes of body condition score (BCS) 2 and 3. The ewes were exposed to a feed motivation test in which they received a food reward. Pregnant ewes (48–70 days gestation) were assessed during a food motivation test after they had been maintained at BCS 3 (n = 7) or given a decreasing plane of nutrition that resulted in slow loss of 1 BCS unit (over 10–12 weeks n = 7) or a fast loss of 1 BCS unit (over 4–6 weeks n = 7). The feed motivation test involved ewes having the opportunity to approach a food reward and then being moved a given distance away from the reward by an automatic gate they could then subsequently return to the feeder. Continuous video footage of each ewe during one cycle of the gate (approaching and returning from the food reward) was shown in random order to 11 observers who used their own descriptive terms (free-choice profiling methodology FCP) to score the animals using QBA. Data of the assessment were analysed with generalised Procrustes analysis (GPA), a multivariate statistical technique associated with FCP. The research group also quantified the feeding behaviour of sheep in the same clips. These behaviours included how sheep approached the feeder, behaviours exhibited at the feeder, and how sheep returned from the feeder. There was consensus amongst observers in terms of their assessment of behavioural expression of the sheep (P 0.001). The GPA found three main dimensions of assessed behavioural expression in the sheep, which together explained 44% of the variation observed. GPA dimension 1 differed between the three treatment groups (P 0.05): ewes maintained at BCS 3 scored low on GPA dimension 1 (i.e. were described as more calm/bored/comfortable) compared with ewes that had a slow declining BCS (described as more interested/anxious/excited). GPA dimension 2 scores were not significantly different between treatment groups. However, quantitative behaviours exhibited by sheep during the clips were correlated with qualitative behavioural assessments made by the observers. Animals that spent more time ‘sniffing and looking for more feed’ were attributed lower GPA 2 scores (described as more hungry/searching/excited) (P 0.05), and animals that ‘did not walk directly to the food reward (but stopped along the way)’ were attributed significantly higher GPA 2 scores (more curious/intimidated/uneasy) (P 0.01). GPA dimension 3 scores also did not differ between the treatment groups however, sheep that had a higher number of feeding events during the entire 23-h feed motivation test were attributed lower GPA dimension 3 scores (they were described as more hungry/bold/interested) (P 0.05), and sheep that consumed a larger amount of the feed reward were attributed higher GPA dimension 3 scores (more curious/concerned/reserved) (P 0.05). We conclude that QBA is a valuable method of assessing sheep behavioural expression under the conditions tested, in that it provided an integrative characterisation of sheep behavioural expression that was in agreement with quantitative behavioural measures of feeding.
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 2016
DOI: 10.1071/AN16210
Abstract: Cattle on pastoral land are subject to potentially painful husbandry procedures. In northern Australia, these practices generally occur once a year after the muster and the procedures are usually performed on animals older than 6 months of age. It is seldom that any pain mitigating medications are administered at this time and there is increasing concern that this perceived impost on the animal’s welfare will become more significant at both an economic and cultural level. There is a need to investigate the possibility of using simple, cost-effective, readily available medications, administered using relatively quick and easily taught techniques to increase the chance of industry adoption. This research used castration of 6–8-month-old Bos indicus calves as the test model because it is arguably one of the most common and most painful procedures endured by the animals. Forty-eight, 6–8-month-old Brahman bulls were surgically castrated after random assignment to six different treatment groups (n = 8): no castration Control (NC) castration (C) castration with post-operative meloxicam (CMpost-op) castration with lignocaine (CL) castration with lignocaine and post-operative meloxicam (CLMpost-op) castration with pre-operative meloxicam (CMpre-op). Serial measures of weight, blood cortisol concentrations, balk score, crush score, and daily activity (steps taken, number and duration of rest bouts) were taken. Linear mixed modelling was used to compare experimental groups. Bulls that were castrated and did not receive post-operative meloxicam (C and CL) had significantly lower average weights at all time points (Days 0–13, P 0.001) of 170.9 kg and 168.6 kg, respectively, than those that did (CMpost-op and CLMpost-op) at 174.7 kg and 173.7 kg, respectively. When lignocaine was not administered before castration, Day 1 post-operative cortisol concentrations were significantly lower when post-operative meloxicam was provided than when it was not (CMpost-op: 47.2 nmol/L vs C: 65.5 nmol/L). When post-operative meloxicam was not given, animals that were given lignocaine before castration had significantly lower cortisol concentrations than those that received no lignocaine (CL: 52.7 nmol/L vs C: 65.5 nmol/L). Animals that were given pre-operative meloxicam had, on average, significantly lower Day 1 post-operative cortisol concentrations than animals that received no lignocaine or meloxicam (CMpre-op: 44.8 nmol/L vs C: 65.5 nmol/L). Analysis of Day 1 (the day following castration) data showed that animals that were given pre-operative meloxicam (CMpre-op) were significantly more active than animals in all other treatment groups (P = 0.038). It was concluded that 6–8-month old, Bos indicus bulls benefit from the administration of both lignocaine before surgery and peri-operative meloxicam. The analgesic methods used are readily adoptable by industry with respect to cost, efficiency and degree of technical skill required.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 07-07-2020
DOI: 10.3390/ANI10071148
Abstract: The identification and assessment of pain in sheep under field conditions are important, but, due to their stoic nature, are fraught with many challenges. In Australia, various husbandry procedures that are documented to cause pain are routinely performed at lamb marking, including ear tagging, castration, mulesing, and tail docking. This study evaluated the validity of a novel methodology to assess pain in lambs: qualitative behavioural assessment (QBA) was used to compare the behavioural expression of control lambs (CONTROL) with that of lambs subject to these procedures that received either a saline placebo 15 min before procedures (PLACEBO), or were administered meloxicam 15 min before procedures in addition to the standard analgesic Tri-Solfen at the time of procedures, as per the manufacturer’s recommendations (ANALGESIC TREATMENT AT). In terms of behavioural expression, it was expected that: CONTROL ≠ PLACEBO, AT = CONTROL, and PLACEBO ≠ AT. Video footage of the 6−8-week-old lambs (n = 10 for each treatment) was captured approximately 1.5 h postprocedure and was presented, in a random order, to 19 observers for assessment using the Free-Choice Profiling (FCP) approach to QBA. There was significant consensus (p 0.001) among the observers in their assessment of the lambs, with two main dimensions of behavioural expression explaining 69.2% of the variation. As expected, observers perceived differences in the demeanour of lambs in the first dimension, scoring all lambs subject to the routine husbandry procedures as significantly more ‘dull’ and ‘uneasy’ compared to the control lambs (p 0.05). Contrary to expectations, the results also suggested that analgesic treatment did not provide relief at the time of observation. Further investigations to validate the relationship between behavioural expression scores and pain are necessary, but these results suggest that painful husbandry procedures alter the behavioural expression of lambs and these differences can be captured using QBA methodology.
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 2007
DOI: 10.1071/EA06041
Abstract: Eighty Bos taurus crossbred steers sourced from southern Western Australia were monitored to assess the efficacy of electrolyte supplementation on board a livestock vessel travelling to the Middle East during the northern hemisphere summer. Electrolytes (1.8 g/L NaHCO3 and 3.5 g/L KCl) were added to the drinking water of treatment steers (n = 39) allocated to three pens on the starboard side of the ship. Control steers (n = 40) were allocated to three pens on the port side of the ship. The combined area of the three treatment and three control pens was 61.1 and 63.6 m2 respectively, giving a stocking density of 1.57 and 1.55 m2 per steer, respectively. Steers were loaded in Fremantle, Western Australia and given 3 days to acclimatise to on-board conditions before being weighed (day 1), after which electrolyte supplementation began while the vessel docked at Port Headland, Western Australia. Feed and water were available ad libitum throughout the experiment. Steers were weighed again on day 18, before discharge in the Middle East. During electrolyte supplementation, wet bulb temperature ranged from 21.3 (day 2) to 31.8°C (day 18). Over the last 3 days of the experiment, wet bulb temperature ranged from 29.0 to 31.8°C with no diurnal variation or night-time cooling. No open-mouth panting was recorded in either group and although animals encountered periods of high heat and humidity (as indicated by increased respiratory rates), the steers were not considered clinically heat stressed during the experiment. After 18 days of electrolyte supplementation, treatment steers had a 2.9 ± 1.7% liveweight advantage compared with control steers (P 0.001). Urine was collected on days 8 and 16 of the experiment and treatment steers maintained a higher urine pH compared with control steers on both days (day 8 8.6 v. 8.2 and day 16 8.2 v. 7.9 P 0.01). Liveweight advantages and improved regulation of acid–base balance may provide welfare and economic benefits to the live export industry.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 11-2010
DOI: 10.1111/J.2042-3306.2010.00225.X
Abstract: This study investigated the physiology of endurance horses competing in warm weather over technical terrain, a situation where horses may become metabolically compromised. There will be changes in physiological, haematological and biochemical variables as horses progress through the 160 km ride and horses detected clinically at the veterinary inspections as metabolically compromised will have significant differences in measured laboratory variables compared to horses that complete the ride successfully. Forty-eight horses competing in the Australian Tom Quilty 160 km endurance ride were monitored and weighed, and blood s les collected for analysis of electrolytes, packed cell volume (PCV), plasma protein and acid-base variables, preride, mid-ride, at the end of their ride and the following morning after a period of recovery. Statistical analysis was performed using multinomial logistic regression and repeated measures ANOVA. Of the 48 horses participating in the study, only 18 successfully completed the ride (SC), 16 were eliminated for lameness (VOL) and 10 for metabolic reasons (VOM) 4 were voluntarily withdrawn by the riders. A lighter preride bodyweight was predictive for VOM. PCV and total plasma protein increased mid-ride in all groups compared to preride, with significantly greater increases in PCV for VOM compared to the other horses. Changes were detected in blood concentrations of sodium, chloride and calcium over time and between the groups, with lower mid-ride sodium and chloride in VOM compared to SC and VOL. VOM horses weighed less preride and were, on analysis of blood and physiological variables mid-ride, more dehydrated with greater electrolyte depletion than the SC or VOL horses.
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 1996
DOI: 10.1071/AR9961305
Abstract: Lupinosis was induced in Merino ewes by subcutaneous injections of phomopsin toxins, given for 2 weeks before and up to 2 weeks after the start of joining, and the reproductive performance of the injected ewes was compared with untreated control ewes. Two experiments were conducted in consecutive years, with similar results. The liver damage and impairment of liver function due to lupinosis were measured by increases in plasma activities of glutamate dehydrogenase and gamma glutamyl transferase, plasma concentration of bilirubin, and plasma clearance of bromosulfthalein. Ovulation rate was depressed by phomopsin administration (1.11 v. 1.33 for the combined phomopsin-treated and control ewes, P 0.001), and fewer phomopsin-treated ewes were pregnant (70.4% for the combined phomopsin-treated ewes v. 93.8% for the combined control ewes, P 0.01). Thus, fewer lambs were born to the phomopsin-treated ewes compared with the control ewes (66.0 v. 109.3% for the combined years, P 0.01). These results indicate that there may be severe detrimental effects of phomopsin intoxication on reproductive performance of ewes.
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 07-2000
DOI: 10.1017/S1326011100001241
Abstract: In 1989, a Professional Education Program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (PEPA) was established at Murdoch University in Western Australia, to encourage the participation, retention and success of Indigenous Australians in studying for and qualifying as Veterinarians.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2008
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 21-09-2020
DOI: 10.3390/ANI10091708
Abstract: The control of feral cats (Felis catus) in Australia is a key biological conservation issue. Male cats are more difficult to control than female cats. Collared and tagged female cats displaying estrous behavior have been considered as a way to lure male cats and reveal their locations. As female cats are seasonal breeders, artificial induction of estrous behavior following the administration of a long-acting estrogen could improve their use for this purpose. Estradiol cypionate was intramuscularly administered to nine entire non-pregnant female feral cats, of unknown estrous status, at 0.1, 0.3, or 0.5 mg/kg. Mean peak serum concentrations of estradiol-17β were 365 pg/mL (0.1 mg/kg), 1281 pg/mL (0.3 mg/kg), and 1447 pg/mL (0.5 mg/kg). The time-course of estradiol-17β concentrations after various doses of estradiol cypionate was assessed using non-compartmental and non-linear mixed-effects methods. At the highest-studied dose (0.5 mg/kg), the 50th percentile of estradiol-17β concentrations exceeded 0.1 ng/mL for 11.8 days, and 0.05 ng/mL for 14.6 days. The duration increased with increasing dose. No signs of toxicity were noticed in any cat during the study. This information will be useful to ongoing studies that are investigating ways to reduce the abundance of feral cats in Australia, especially adult male cats.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2020
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 19-02-2015
DOI: 10.1080/10888705.2015.1005302
Abstract: We tested the application of qualitative behavioral assessment (QBA) as a welfare assessment tool. Sheep were exposed to road transport treatments, and behavioral expressions were compared between experimental treatments and validated by correlation with physiological measures. We compared journeys differing in ventilation (closed vs. open-sided trailer), flooring (grip vs. nongrip flooring), and driving styles (stop-start vs. continuous driving). Blood s les were collected immediately before loading and after unloading heart rate and core body temperatures were recorded continuously. Continuous video footage was edited to show in idual sheep to observers for QBA using free-choice profiling (observers used their own descriptive terms). There was significant consensus in observers' scores for the sheep in each experiment (p < .001). Observers distinguished between sheep exposed to flooring (p = .014) or driving-style (p = .005) treatments, but not between ventilation treatments. QBA scores were compared (p < .05) with plasma leptin, glucose, and insulin-like growth factor-1 concentrations white blood cell profiles red blood cell counts hematocrit body temperatures and heart rate variability. Observer assessments reflected treatment differences, and correlations between behavioral expression and physiological responses were found.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 15-11-2018
DOI: 10.3390/ANI8110209
Abstract: Land transport is an unavoidable experience for most livestock, yet there is limited research comparing animal welfare under different conditions. We video recorded sheep responses during short (2 h) commercial road transport journeys. Using Qualitative Behavioural Assessment, observers (blinded to the treatments) scored the behavioural expression of sheep and reached significant consensus in their scoring patterns (p 0.001). There were also significant effects of vehicle crate design (sheep transported in a ‘standard’ crate were more calm/relaxed than those transported in a ‘convertible’ crate), deck position (sheep on upper decks were more curious/alert than those on lower decks), and sheep breed (fat-tail sheep were more agitated/distressed than merino sheep) on observer scores. We only found marginal differences for sheep originating from feedlot or saleyard. Significant effects of vehicle driver (included as a random factor in all but one of our analyses) suggest driving patterns contributed to demeanour of the sheep. Finally, the fourteen drivers who participated in the study were asked their opinions on livestock transport none of the factors we tested were identified by drivers as important for sheep welfare during transport. This study supports the use of qualitative measures in transport and revealed differences that could inform truck design.
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 1997
DOI: 10.1071/EA97004
Abstract: Summary. Lupinosis was induced in Merino ewes by subcutaneous injections of phomopsins. Liver damage and impairment of liver function was measured by increases in plasma activities of glutamate dehydrogenase and gamma glutamyl transferase, plasma concentrations of bilirubin, and plasma clearance of bromosulfthalein. The wool growth of the ewes during and after exposure to phomopsins at different periods relative to mating was measured, and the impact of lupinosis on annual wool production assessed. Phomopsin administration decreased the length of staple grown during, and for at least 6 weeks after, exposure to phomopsins. Mean fibre diameter of wool grown during this time was also reduced. Annual wool production of the ewes was affected by exposure to phomopsins, with effects noted on fleece weight, yield, fibre diameter, strength and position of break. These effects were minor and varied between experiments. The adverse effects of reproduction on annual wool production were more significant than those of phomopsins.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2021
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 06-01-2018
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 27-09-2018
DOI: 10.3390/ANI8100164
Abstract: The transport of animals by sea (‘live export’) is one of the most important current animal welfare issues in Australian society. Recent media attention has highlighted concerns regarding the effects of high environmental temperature and humidity on the welfare and mortality of sheep being shipped live from Australia to the Middle East, especially during the Northern Hemisphere summer. To improve understanding of how and why harmful heat load occurs, we systematically reviewed Australian research into heat load and sea transport. High thermal load occurs during the sea transport of sheep and cattle from Australia when animals are subject to hot and humid environmental conditions and cannot remove heat generated by metabolic processes in the body, potentially also gaining heat from the environment. Several approaches have been proposed to mitigate these risks, including avoidance of voyages in hot seasons, selection of heat-resistant livestock breeds, reducing stocking density, and improved ventilation. We identified a lack of scientific literature relating to heat load in animals transported by sea and considerable potential for bias in the literature that was found. We identified the following priority research areas: (i) experimental manipulation of variables thought to influence the incidence and severity of harmful heat load, including sheep density (ii) further assessment of the Heat Stress Risk Assessment (HSRA) model used to predict heat load events, and (iii) development of a suite of animal welfare indicators that may allow identification of ‘at risk’ sheep before they reach debilitating heat load condition. Addressing these knowledge gaps will assist efforts to reduce the frequency and intensity of harmful heat load events.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 08-08-2021
Abstract: Brucellosis is a major economic and production-limiting disease for livestock owners and the community in Iraq. A cost–benefit analysis was conducted to evaluate the impact of an expanded annual mass vaccination programme of sheep and goats that involves all female and male sheep and goats over the age of 3 months with Rev. 1 vaccine. The proposed expanded vaccination programme was compared to the current annual vaccination program, which involved only vaccinating female sheep and goats between the ages of 3 and 6 months of age with Rev. 1. The cost-benefit analysis model was developed utilizing data collected in Dohuk Governorate, northern Iraq. The seroprevalence in small ruminants (using Rose Bengal test and ELISA in series) was predicted to decrease from 9.22% to 0.73% after 20 years of implementing the proposed annual mass vaccination program. The net present value of the mass vaccination program was estimated to be US$ 10,564,828 (95% Confidence Interval (CI): −16,203,454 to 37,049,245), the benefit–cost ratio was estimated to be 4.25 (95% CI: −2.71 to 11.22), and the internal rate of return was 91.38% (95% CI:11.71 to 190.62%). The proposed vaccination strategy was predicted to decrease the overall financial loss caused by brucellosis from 1.75 to 0.55 US$ per adult female animal. The results of this economic analysis highlight the benefit of implementing an annual mass vaccination program of small ruminants with Rev. 1 vaccine to reduce the prevalence of brucellosis in northern Iraq.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 17-04-2020
DOI: 10.3390/ANI10040705
Abstract: Australian livestock industries face increased scrutiny from animal welfare groups and society, and the long-distance transport of livestock by sea has recently gained particular attention. Other than non-compliance with broad regulatory standards and voyage mortality rates, there is minimal information to ascertain the welfare of exported livestock. There is currently no standardised, validated animal welfare assessment protocol for livestock on-farm prior to live export or when undergoing transport. This study describes a novel assessment protocol suitable for use on live feeder and slaughter animals exported by sea from Australia. Health and welfare indicators for use in the livestock export supply chain were identified by reviewing three internationally recognised animal welfare assessment protocols for livestock Welfare Quality®, AWIN and AssureWel, as well as consulting with industry compliance standards and guidelines. This paper proposes a welfare protocol designed to assess sheep and beef cattle exported by sea from Australia, and incorporates environmental-, resource-, management- and animal-based measures. In collaboration with industry, this welfare protocol can be tested on commercial livestock consignments, and be used for ongoing management, for increased transparency and to provide feedback to operators for continuous improvement.
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 2011
DOI: 10.1071/AN10122
Abstract: The present study examined whether observers could distinguish between cattle that are naïve to road transport and the same cattle after becoming more habituated to transport. The behavioural expression of cattle was assessed through the method of qualitative behavioural assessment (QBA), and these assessments were correlated with various physiological parameters. Fourteen Angus steers were assessed during their first road trip and then again on their ninth trip, 15 days later. Blood s les were collected immediately before and after transport, and heart rate and core body temperature were measured continuously throughout each trip. Video footage recorded during each trip was edited and clips showing each in idual within the first 30 min of departure were randomly ordered and shown to observers for QBA. There was significant (P 0.001) consensus among 40 observers in their assessment of behavioural expression of the cattle. Transport-naïve cattle were described as more ‘agitated’, while transport-habituated were described as more ‘calm’. Core body temperature (P 0.01), plasma glucose (P 0.05) and the neutrophil : lymphocyte ratio (P 0.01) were higher for the first trip than for the habituated trip (P 0.01). QBA were significantly correlated with core body temperature (P 0.01), heart rate (P 0.01), plasma glucose (P 0.05) and the neutrophil : lymphocyte ratio (P 0.01). QBA appears to be a valid and integrative method of assessing cattle welfare under the conditions tested within the present study. There was significant consensus in the ability of human observers to interpret behavioural expression of cattle during this experiment. In addition, observers could identify differences in behavioural expression between cattle that were naïve versus habituated to transport, and these differences were supported by physiological measurements.
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 2011
DOI: 10.1071/AN10120
Abstract: This experiment investigated the physiological responses of Merino wethers (n = 12) to prolonged high heat and humidity similar to that experienced during long haul, live export voyages from Australia to the Middle East. Merino wethers were randomly assigned to in idual pens in rooms with a controlled environment, and exposed to gradually increasing temperatures, and two exposures of 3–4 days of sustained high heat and humidity, up to a maximum of 31°C wet bulb temperature (37°C dry bulb and 67% relative humidity). There was 1 day at thermoneutral temperatures separating the heat exposures. The core temperatures and respiratory rates of Merino wethers increased during both heat exposures, with open-mouthed panting observed during both exposures. Plasma partial pressure carbon dioxide (pCO2) and bicarbonate concentration (HCO3–) decreased, and plasma pH increased during the second heat exposure. Both pCO2 and HCO3– returned to normal immediately following the heat exposures. Feed intake was maintained during the heat exposures. There were no large alterations in blood electrolyte concentrations attributable to the effects of the heat. The results show that Merino wethers experienced significant physiological changes during exposure to prolonged and continuous high heat and humidity, but maintained most aspects of homeostasis despite being hyperthermic and recovered quickly when conditions returned to thermoneutral.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 21-07-2020
DOI: 10.3390/ANI10071236
Abstract: Animal welfare is an important issue for the live export industry (LEI), in terms of economic returns, community attitudes and international socio-political relations. Mortality has traditionally been the main welfare measure recorded within the LEI however, high mortality incidents are usually acted upon after adverse events occur, reducing the scope for proactive welfare enhancement. We reviewed 71 potential animal welfare measures, identifying those measures that would be appropriate for use throughout the LEI for feeder and slaughter livestock species, and categorised these as animal-, environment- and resource-based. We ided the live export supply chain into three sectors: (1) Australian facilities, (2) vessel and (3) destination country facilities. After reviewing the relevant regulations for each sector of the industry, we identified 38 (sector 1), 35 (sector 2) and 26 (sector 3) measures already being collected under current practice. These could be used to form a ‘welfare information dashboard’: a LEI-specific online interface for collecting data that could contribute towards standardised industry reporting. We identified another 20, 25 and 28 measures that are relevant to each LEI sector (sectors 1, 2, 3, respectively), and that could be developed and integrated into a benchmarking system in the future.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2008
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 25-11-2017
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2019
DOI: 10.1016/J.VPRSR.2019.100264
Abstract: Serum s les from 423 small ruminants (335 sheep and 97 goats) from 72 farms in 6 districts in the province of Dohuk, north Iraq, were tested for the presence of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii using a latex agglutination test (Latex) and an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA). When the test results were interpreted in parallel, 42.1% (95% confidence interval (CI): 36.7, 47.7) of sheep and 36.1% (95% CI: 26.6, 46.5) of goats were found to have antibodies against Toxoplasma. A multivariable logistic regression model was developed to determine the risk factors for Toxoplasma seropositivity in small ruminant flocks. Factors which increased the risk of infection included the presence of cats near the feed of animals (Odds ratio (OR) = 6.3 95% CI 1.6, 24.6) and a history of abortions in sheep in the preceding 12 months (OR = 13.4 95% CI 2.1 86.7). For every ten goats aborting in the preceding 12 months the odds of seropositivity increased significantly (OR = 6.7 95% CI 1.3 32.9). Results of the regression model indicate that for every 1000 Iraqi Dinars (~0.85 USD) spent by the farmers on prophylactic treatment in their flocks the odds of Toxoplasma seropositivity decreased significantly (OR = 0.94 95% CI 0.90, 0.98). This study contributes to the epidemiology of toxoplasmosis in small ruminants in northern Iraq.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 07-12-2017
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 25-01-2018
DOI: 10.1093/JAS/SKX004
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2010
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 2016
DOI: 10.1071/AN15101
Abstract: Animal welfare is increasingly important for the Australian livestock industries, to maintain social licence to practice as well as ensuring market share overseas. Improvement of animal welfare in the livestock industries requires several important key steps. Paramount among these, objective measures are needed for welfare assessment that will enable comparison and contrast of welfare implications of husbandry procedures or housing options. Such measures need to be versatile (can be applied under a wide range of on- and off-farm situations), relevant (reveal aspects of the animal’s affective or physiological state that is relevant to their welfare), reliable (can be repeated with confidence in the results), relatively economic to apply, and they need to have broad acceptance by all stakeholders. Qualitative Behavioural Assessment (QBA) is an integrated measure that characterises behaviour as a dynamic, expressive body language. QBA is a versatile tool requiring little specialist equipment suiting application to in situ assessments that enables comparative, hypothesis-driven evaluation of various industry-relevant practices. QBA is being increasingly used as part of animal welfare assessments in Europe, and although most other welfare assessment methods record ‘problems’ (e.g. lameness, injury scores, and so on), QBA can capture positive aspects of animal welfare (e.g. positively engaged with their environment, playfulness). In this viewpoint, we review the outcomes of recent QBA studies and discuss the potential application of QBA, in combination with other methods, as a welfare assessment tool for the Australian livestock industries.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 13-10-2020
DOI: 10.3390/ANI10101864
Abstract: There is significant public interest in the Australian live animal export industry and a need to develop a program that can measure and monitor animal welfare throughout the supply chain. An online survey of stakeholder opinions of this industry and animal welfare measures was carried out in 2015 with 921 respondents: 30% from the public who identified as animal welfare advocates (AWAs) 44% from the public who did not identify as AWAs (general public GP) 26% live export industry (LEI) workers. AWA and GP respondents expressed greater concern than LEI respondents for animal welfare throughout the supply chain but had less concern for animals at Australian feedlots than in other parts of the supply chain. The majority of AWA and GP respondents believed data collected on animal welfare should be made public and should be collected by independent welfare officers and used to regulate the industry and impose penalties for poor welfare. LEI workers believed that data should be confidential, collected by LEI workers and used by the industry to self-regulate. AWA and GP respondents rated the importance and practicality of a number of welfare indicators greater than LEI workers, while respondents shared an analogous view of the importance and practicality of these indicators. Results can be used to develop welfare assessments that ensure a better understanding between industry members and those not in the industry, while facilitating welfare improvements and promoting greater transparency for the live export industry.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2018
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 09-03-2020
DOI: 10.1111/AVJ.12927
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 12-2012
Abstract: Objective and issue-neutral qualitative assessments of livestock behavior could provide a powerful assessment of welfare, augmenting quantitative measures such as autonomic and endocrine changes, which are often difficult to assess under many commercial livestock conditions. We set out to validate the use of qualitative behavioral assessment (QBA) in sheep using controlled experimental conditions (transport as a challenge) and comparing assessments against physiological variables. The behavioral expression of 14 Merino wethers, which had never experienced land transport, were assessed during their first road event (naïve to transport), and then again on their seventh event, 8 d later (habituated to transport). Blood s les were collected immediately before loading and after unloading, and heart rate and core body temperature were measured continuously throughout each event. Continuous video footage recorded during each event was used to provide clips of in idual animals that were shown to observers for QBA. There was significant consensus (P < 0.001) amongst 63 observers in terms of their assessment of the behavioral expression of the sheep. Transport-naïve sheep were assessed as being more 'alert', 'anxious', and 'aware', whereas transport-habituated sheep were more 'comfortable', 'tired', and 'confident' (P = 0.015). Heart rate and heart rate variability, core body temperature and a stress leukogram were greater (P < 0.05) in sheep during the first (naïve) event compared with the habituated event, and were significantly correlated with the QBA scores (P < 0.05). In conclusion, QBA is a valid, practical and informative measure of behavioral responses to transport.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2018
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2018
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 18-06-2019
DOI: 10.3390/ANI9060368
Abstract: Flystrike is a major problem affecting sheep in Australia. Identification of ‘flystruck’ in iduals is crucial for treatment but requires labour-intensive physical examination. As the industry moves toward more low-input systems there is a need for remote methods to identify flystruck in iduals. The aim of this study was to investigate the behaviour of sheep with breech flystrike within a paddock setting. Video footage of sixteen Merino sheep eight later confirmed with flystrike and eight without was collected as they moved freely within the paddock with conspecifics. Quantitative behavioural measurements and a qualitative behavioural assessment (QBA) were conducted and compared to their breech conditions (i.e., faecal/urine staining flystrike severity). Both qualitative and quantitative assessments indicated behavioural differences between flystruck and non-flystruck animals. Flystruck sheep had a behavioural profile characterised by restless behaviour abnormal postures and reduced grazing time (p 0.05). Furthermore flystruck sheep were scored to have a more ‘exhausted/irritated’ demeanour using QBA (p 0.05). The behavioural responses also corresponded to the flystrike severity scores and condition of the breech area. We conclude that remotely assessed behaviour of flystruck sheep erges markedly from non-flystruck sheep and thus could be a low-input method for identifying and treating affected animals.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 11-02-2014
Abstract: The cause of death in 215 cattle on 20 long-haul live export voyages from Australia to the Middle East, Russia, and China was investigated between 2010 and 2012 using gross, histologic, and/or molecular pathology techniques. A quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assay was used to detect nucleic acids from viruses and bacteria known to be associated with respiratory disease in cattle: Bovine coronavirus ( Betacoronavirus 1), Bovine herpesvirus 1, Bovine viral diarrhea virus 1 and 2, Bovine respiratory syncytial virus, Bovine parainfluenza virus 3, Histophilus somni, Mycoplasma bovis, Mannheimia haemolytica, and Pasteurella multocida. The most commonly diagnosed cause of death was respiratory disease (107/180, 59.4%), followed by lameness ( n = 22, 12.2%), ketosis ( n = 12, 6.7%), septicemia ( n = 11, 6.1%), and enteric disease ( n = 10, 5.6%). Two thirds (130/195) of animals from which lung s les were collected had histologic changes and/or positive qRT-PCR results indicative of infectious lung disease: 93 out of 130 (72%) had evidence of bacterial infection, 4 (3%) had viral infection, and 29 (22%) had mixed bacterial and viral infections, and for 4 (3%) the causative organism could not be identified. Bovine coronavirus was detected in up to 13% of cattle tested, and this finding is likely to have important implications for the management and treatment of respiratory disease in live export cattle. Results from the current study indicate that although overall mortality during live export voyages is low, further research into risk factors for developing respiratory disease is required.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2014
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 16-03-2021
DOI: 10.3390/ANI11030836
Abstract: In this study, sera from 240 small ruminants (192 sheep and 48 goats) belonging to 12 farms in Dohuk Province, northern Iraq, were collected on two occasions to investigate the incidence risk of seroconversion to Brucella spp. and Toxoplasma gondii. All selected animals were confirmed pregnant (approximately 2 months pregnant) by ultrasound examination at the time of the first blood collection. A second ultrasound examination and blood s ling were undertaken two months after the initial scanning/s ling. Antibodies to Brucella were tested using the Rose Bengal Test (RBT) and an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA), and the results were interpreted in series. The Latex Agglutination Test (LAT) and an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA) were also used in series to confirm the presence of antibodies to T. gondii. The seroprevalence for Brucella and Toxoplasma increased significantly between the two s ling times (p = 0.0003 and 0.03 in first and second s ling, respectively). The incidence risk of seroconversion to Brucella over the two months was 10.6% (95% CI: 6.9–15.3) and 7.3% (95% CI: 4.3–11.6) for Toxoplasma. Animals that seroconverted to Brucella were 2.9 times more likely to lose their pregnancy (95% CI: 1.6–5.5) than animals that remained seronegative however, seroconversion to Toxoplasma had no significant impact on loss of pregnancy. This study is the first reported investigation on the association of seroconversion to Brucella and Toxoplasma with the reproductive outcome of pregnant sheep and goats in northern Iraq. Brucellosis and toxoplasmosis continue to negatively impact small ruminants’ reproductive performance and compromising food security in Iraq. It is hoped that this study will assist the development of a better-informed economic model to estimate Brucella and Toxoplasma burden in small animals in northern Iraq, and such a model could be used to validate the impact of various potential intervention programs in.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 08-2006
DOI: 10.1111/J.2042-3306.2006.TB05515.X
Abstract: Body temperature can be a useful measure of how well the horse responds to thermal challenges of exercise and environment. Currently there is little information available about how body temperature changes throughout an endurance ride, and no nonsurgical methods to evaluate internal temperature of exercising horses during prolonged periods and during long distances. To develop and test a nonsurgical method, using temperature loggers, of continuously recording internal temperature during exercise and over an extended period. Loggers were inserted transcervically into the uterus of mares to measure internal temperature. A total of 9 mares were implanted for periods of 3 days to 6 weeks. The internal temperature was recorded while horses underwent their normal training and competition. Loggers were validated against rectal temperature over a range of internal temperatures while mares were alternatively exercised and rested. The technique proved to be straightforward and accurate. There were no ill effects observed and all mares retained the logger in utero until removal manually, except for one mare, which expelled the logger when she came into oestrus. The intrauterine and deep rectal temperatures were highly correlated and increased during exercise and decreased with aggressive cooling after exercise. The technique is a useful and accurate nonsurgical method for prolonged monitoring of internal temperature in mares, including those animals in athletic competition. This method allows more intensive studies of core temperature during prolonged exercise in competition and under different environmental conditions. It also enables comparison to be made of different methods of cooling of horses post exercise.
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 2016
DOI: 10.1071/AN15076
Abstract: Rangeland goat bucks were used to evaluate the efficacy of a commercially available anti-gonadotrophin-releasing hormone vaccine, Improvac (Zoetis Australia, West Ryde, NSW, Australia). The hypothesis tested was that immunisation would suppress testosterone secretion by the testis and agonistic behaviour between male goats. We also compared intervals of 2 and 4 weeks between primary and booster immunisations and monitored responses over a 2-month period. The 45 goats were split into three groups (n = 15): one group receiving the vaccination booster on Day 14, one group receiving the vaccination booster on Day 28, and the Control group receiving sterile saline injections. Body mass, body condition score and scrotal circumference were measured fortnightly, and blood was collected at 2-week intervals and analysed for testosterone concentration. Behavioural interaction tests of 2-min duration were also conducted fortnightly. There was a significant decrease in paired testicular circumference (P 0.05) and testosterone concentration (P 0.01) in both vaccination groups by the end of the experiment at Day 60, compared with the Control group. Agonistic interactions measured at Day 60 were significantly reduced in both vaccination groups (P 0.05) compared with the Control group. These results support the efficacy of Improvac in reducing agonistic behaviours in rangeland goat bucks and suggest that the use of the vaccine may assist in reducing social stress and possible injury in groups of confined male goats.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2013
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 2018
DOI: 10.1071/AN13054
Abstract: Australian seedstock cattle breeders have expressed concerns that while there has been genetic improvement in feedlot and abattoir performance of cows, it could have led to a decline in maternal productivity, especially under variable nutritional conditions. This paper describes a substantial project with two components designed to address these issues. The first sub-project was to monitor bodyweight and composition of 7760 young Angus and Hereford cows as they experience variable physiological states (pregnancy and lactation) and seasons. This was conducted on large numbers in seedstock herds. The second sub-project was to monitor more regularly bodyweight, body composition, and calf rearing performance of 500 Angus cows that are genetically ergent for either fat or residual feed intake at two research centres. This also included two levels of nutrition and recording of weekly feed intake of small groups of cows for at least three parities to allow reporting of genotype × nutrition effects on maternal productivity and efficiency. Results from the project are reported in a series of papers with each one having a defined focus.
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 2020
DOI: 10.1071/AN19238
Abstract: Context Shearing is a management procedure that can induce stress, and is one that sheep often undergo on-farm and/or at registered premises during the pre-embarkation phase of live export. Aim As inanition is one of the largest causes of death during sea transport and can result from sheep experiencing stress, whether shearing results in behavioural changes and stress before boarding a vessel needs to be determined. Methods A total of 600 merino wethers sourced from one farm were housed at registered pre-embarkment premises, where they were split between two adjacent pens. The wethers were further split into the six treatment groups (unshorn, and sheep shorn on Days 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5) with 50 sheep per treatment, per pen. All wethers were fitted with radio frequency identification tags that were used to record animal presence at feed and water troughs, and coloured ear tags to visually identify their treatment group. Temperature and humidity sensors were placed on the outside of each pen to record environmental conditions throughout the 13-day study. Body condition scores for each wether were recorded at the beginning and end of the study. Four portable cameras were placed at a corner of each pen, allowing behaviour states (standing, lying or locomotion) of the wethers to be recorded on Days 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 13 of the study. Key results Shorn treatment groups were observed to spend more time standing (F5,5 = 6.63, P = 0.029) and less time lying (F23,23 = 2.48, P = 0.017). The control group spent more time at water troughs from Day 4 to 12 (F5,55 = 3.98, P & 0.01), whereas all groups were recorded as spending more time at the feed trough on Day 5 (F5,55 = 2.78, P & 0.001). Conclusions A lack of variation in behavioural states between the treatments and no change in time spent feeding throughout the study suggest that the procedure of shearing within the first 5 days at the pre-embarkation facility had no impact on behaviour of these sheep. Implications These results assist the industry in ensuring best management practices are implemented.
Publisher: The Kielanowski Institute of Animal Physiology and Nutrition, PAS
Date: 30-08-2004
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2013
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2012
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2009
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 21-10-2015
DOI: 10.3390/ANI5040398
No related grants have been discovered for Anne Barnes.