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Physiological measures indicative of the welfare status of animals during rearing could form part of an abattoir-based animal health and welfare assessment tool. A total of 66 pigs were used in this study, the aim of which was to assess how serum concentrations of haptoglobin (Hp) and C-reactive protein (CRP) (assessed in 51 pigs), and hair concentrations of cortisol (assessed in 65 pigs), measured at or close to slaughter, reflected welfare-related indicators recorded from the animal during its lifetime. These indicators were recorded at intervals between 7 and 21 weeks of age and included assigning scores for levels of tail and skin lesions, recording the presence or absence of certain health issues, and conducting qualitative behavioural assessments (QBA). Pigs recorded as having tail lesions during their lifetime had higher hair cortisol levels than those with no tail lesions (tail lesions: 47.87 ± 3.34 pg/mg, no tail lesions: 42.20 ± 3.29 pg/mg, P= 0.023), and pigs recorded as having moderate or severe tail lesions had higher Hp levels than those with no or mild tail lesions (moderate/severe: 1.711 mg/ml ± 0.74, none/mild: 0.731 mg/ml ±0.10, P= 0.010). Pigs recorded as being lame during their lifetime tended to have higher hair cortisol levels than non-lame pigs (lame: 52.72 pg/mg ± 3.83, not lame: 43.07 pg/mg ± 2.69, P= 0.062). QBA scores were not associated with any of the physiological measures (P> 0.05). Receiver Operator Curve (ROC) analysis was also carried out to get a better understanding of the usefulness of the physiological measures in discriminating animals that had had welfare-related issues recorded during their lifetime from those that had not. Hair cortisol was determined as having ‘moderate’ accuracy in discriminating pigs that were tail bitten on-farm from unbitten pigs (AUC: 0.748) while Hp and CRP were determined to have no meaningful discriminatory ability (AUC < 0.600). This research should be repeated on a larger scale, but the results suggest that hair cortisol measured at slaughter could provide insight into the welfare status of pigs during their lifetime. Hp may be a useful indicator of tail lesions in pigs. However, further research utilising a greater proportion of severely bitten pigs is required before conclusions can be drawn.

ABSTRACTRapid detection of patients with carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) is essential for the prevention of nosocomial cross-transmission, allocation of isolation facilities and to protect patient safety. Here, we aimed to design a new laboratory work-flow, utilizing existing laboratory resources, in order to reduce time-to-diagnosis of CPE. A review of the current CPE testing processes and of the literature was performed to identify a real-time commercial polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay that could facilitate batch testing of CPE clinical specimens, with adequate CPE gene coverage. Stool specimens (210) were collected; CPE-positive inpatients (n = 10) and anonymized community stool specimens (n = 200). Rectal swabs (eSwab™) were inoculated from collected stool specimens and a manual DNA extraction method (QIAamp® DNA Stool Mini Kit) was employed. Extracted DNA was then processed on the Check-DirectCPE® assay. The three step process of making the eSwab™, extracting DNA manually and running the Check-Direct CPE® assay, took <5 min, 1 h 30 min and 1 h 50 min, respectively. It was time efficient with a result available in under 4 h, comparing favourably with the existing method of CPE screening; average time-to-diagnosis of 48/72 h. Utilizing this CPE work-flow would allow a ‘same-day’ result. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing results, as is current practice, would remain a ‘next-day’ result. In conclusion, the Check-DirectCPE® assay was easily integrated into a local laboratory work-flow and could facilitate a large volume of CPE screening specimens in a single batch, making it cost-effective and convenient for daily CPE testing.

Currently, there is growing interest in developing ante and post mortem meat inspection (MI) to incorporate measures of pig health and welfare for use as a diagnostic tool on pig farms. However, the success of the development of the MI process requires stakeholder engagement with the process. Knowledge gaps and issues of trust can undermine the effective exchange and utilisation of information across the supply chain. A social science research methodology was employed to establish stakeholder perspectives towards the development of MI to include measures of pig health and welfare. In this paper the findings of semi-structured telephone interviews with 18 pig producers from the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland are presented. Producers recognised the benefit of the utilisation of MI data as a health and welfare diagnostic tool. This acknowledgment, however, was undermined for some by dissatisfaction with the current system of MI information feedback, by trust and fairness concerns, and by concerns regarding the extent to which data would be used in the producers’ interests. Tolerance of certain animal welfare issues may also have a negative impact on how producers viewed the potential of MI data. The private veterinary practitioner was viewed as playing a vital role in assisting them with the interpretation of MI data for herd health planning. The development of positive relationships based on trust, commitment and satisfaction across the supply chain may help build a positive environment for the effective utilisation of MI data in improving pig health and welfare. The utilisation of MI as a diagnostic tool would benefit from the development of a communication strategy aimed at building positive relationships between stakeholders in the pig industry.

Nitrogen excretion from sheep production systems is an important source of nitrate, ammonia, and nitrous oxide responsible for groundwater pollution and global warming. The present study aimed to identify key parameters influencing N utilization efficiency and develop prediction equations for manure N, feces N, and urine N outputs in sheep. Data used were collected from 82 sheep offered fresh perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) as the sole diet in 6 metabolism experiments (data from non-grass-only diets were not used). Sheep were from breeds of Highlander, Texel, Scottish Blackface, and Swaledale at the age of 5 to 18 mo and weighing from 24.5 to 62.7 kg. Herbage was harvested daily from 6 swards of contrasting harvest dates (May to December), offering wide variation in feed value to cover the range that would be offered in most practical farm situations. Before the commencement of each study, the experimental sward was harvested at a residual height of 4 cm and allowed to grow for 2 to 4 wk to target an average pregrazing sward height in a range of 8 to 15 cm depending on the time of year. Sheep were housed in individual pens for 14 d and then transferred to individual metabolism crates for 4 d with feed intake and feces and urine outputs measured. Data were analyzed using the linear mixed model procedure to develop prediction equations for feces N, urine N, and manure N outputs using N intake, herbage chemical composition, and digestibility with effects of sex, breed, and experimental periods removed. Nitrogen intake was the best single predictor for N output in feces, urine, and manure, and the r2value for prediction of manure N output was greater than those for feces N and urine N (0.86 vs. 0.70 and 0.77, respectively; P< 0.001). Animal BW and herbage DM, ether extract, NDF, ADF, water soluble carbohydrate, and DE concentrations and N digestibility were also used to predict N outputs because N intake may not be available in commercial practice. The prediction equations for N utilization efficiency indicated that increasing feeding level and ME concentration and reducing N concentration could improve N utilization efficiency and shift N excretion into feces rather than urine (P< 0.001). The equations developed in the current study provide an approach for sheep producers to quantify N excretion against production and, consequently, to develop their own mitigation strategies to reduce the environmental impact of sheep production systems.

A SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis is a strategic management tool applied to policy planning and decision-making. This short report presents the results of a SWOT analysis, carried out with n= 16 stakeholders i) involved in the pig industry in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, and ii) in general animal welfare and food safety policy areas. As part of a larger study called PIGWELFIND, the analysis sought to explore the potential development of pig meat inspection as an animal welfare and diagnostic tool. The final SWOT framework comprised two strengths, three opportunities, six weaknesses, and five threats. Issues around relationships and communication between producers and their veterinary practitioner, processors and producers were common to both the strengths and weakness clusters. Practical challenges within the processing plant were also named. Overall, the SWOT framework complements results reported in Devitt et al. (Ir Vet J 69:2, 2016) regarding problematic issues within the current system of information feedback on meat inspection especially within the Republic of Ireland, and the wider challenges of communication and problems of distrust. The results of the SWOT analysis support the conclusions from Devitt et al. (Ir Vet J 69:2, 2016), that trust between all stakeholders across the supply chain will be essential for the development of an effective environment in which to realise the full diagnostic potential of MI data. Further stakeholder engagement could seek to apply the findings of the SWOT analysis to a policy Delphi methodology, as used elsewhere.

Development of effective methane (CH4) mitigation strategies for grazing sheep requires accurate prediction tools. The present study aimed to identify key parameters influencing enteric CH4emissions and develop prediction equations for enteric CH4emissions from sheep offered fresh grass. The data used were collected from 82 sheep offered fresh perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) as sole diets in 6 metabolism experiments (data from non-grass-only diets were not used). Sheep were from breeds of Highlander, Texel, Scottish Blackface, and Swaledale at the age of 5 to 18 mo and weighing from 24.5 to 62.7 kg. Grass was harvested daily from 6 swards on contrasting harvest dates (May to December). Before the commencement of each study, the experimental sward was harvested at a residual height of 4 cm and allowed to grow for 2 to 4 wk. The feeding trials commenced when the grass sward was suitable to zero grazing (average grass height = 15 cm), thus offering grass of a quality similar to what grazing animals would receive under routine grazing management. Sheep were housed in individual pens for 14 d and then moved to individual calorimeter chambers for 4 d. Feed intake, fecal and urine outputs, and CH4emissions were measured during the final 4 d. Data were analyzed using the REML procedure to develop prediction equations for CH4emissions. Linear and multiple prediction equations were developed using BW, DMI, GE intake (GEI), and grass chemical concentrations (DM, OM, water-soluble carbohydrates [WSC], NDF, ADF, nitrogen [N], GE, DE, and ME) as explanatory variables. The mean CH4production was 21.1 g/kg DMI or 0.062 MJ/MJ GEI. Dry matter intake and GEI were much more accurate predictors for CH4emissions than BW (P< 0.001, r2= 0.86 and r2= 0.87 vs. r2= 0.09, respectively). Adding grass DE and ME concentrations and grass nutrient concentrations (e.g., OM, N, GE, NDF, and WSC) to the relationships between DMI or GEI and CH4emissions improved prediction accuracy with R2values increased to 0.93. Models based on farm-level data, for example, BW and grass nutrient (i.e., DM, GE, OM, and N) concentrations, were also developed and performed satisfactorily (P< 0.001, R2= 0.63). These models can contribute to improve prediction accuracy for enteric CH4emissions from sheep grazing on ryegrass pasture.

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Forty-eight lowland lambs were used in a completely randomized design (23-d period) with a factorial arrangement of treatments: 2 breeds (Highlander vs. Texel) × 3 sexes (female vs. intact male vs. wether) × 2 diets (fresh grass vs. fresh grass plus 0.5 kg/d pelleted concentrate). Animals (n= 48) were approximately 5 mo old and 36 ± 5.0 kg BW at the commencement of the study with 4 lambs for each breed–sex–diet combination. Fresh grass was harvested daily from the first regrowth of perennial ryegrass sward and offered ad libitum with a similar growth stage throughout the experiment. The animals were individually housed in pens and fed experimental diets for 19 d before being transferred to individual calorimeter chambers for a further 4 d with feed intake, fecal and urine outputs, and methane (CH4) emissions measured. Lambs offered 0.5 kg/d concentrate had greater DM and energy (i.e., GE, DE and ME) intake, BW, and CH4production (g/d) and greater N intake, fecal and manure N outputs, and fecal N per N intake than those given only fresh grass (P< 0.05). However, diets had no effect on CH4emission rates (i.e., CH4/DMI [P= 0.408] and CH4energy/GE intake [P= 0.821]). Texels produced more CH4/DMI (g/kg) than Highlanders (P= 0.044), and sex had no effect on CH4/DMI (g/kg; P= 0.101). Neither breed nor sex had an effect on N utilization efficiency (P> 0.05). The results reflected that high-quality forages may play a role similar to concentrate in mitigation of enteric CH4emissions. The effects of sex and breed on rumen function require further investigation to understand relationships with CH4emissions and N excretion in sheep.

The article discusses the financial implications as well as prevalence of welfare lesions among slaughter pigs in Ireland. Topics covered include the addition of animal-based welfare measurements to the meat inspection process and impact of lesions on carcase condemnations. Also mentioned is the occurrence of loin bruising and bursitis among pigs.

The aim of this study was to compare a split marketing (SM) strategy, in which the heaviest pigs in a group are removed and slaughtered earlier than the others, with an all-out (AO) marketing strategy, in which all pigs are removed from the pen simultaneously and slaughtered on the same day, in terms of welfare, performance, and carcass traits of noncastrated (i.e., intact) male and female pigs. The experimental treatments were arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial array with 1) marketing strategy (SM vs. AO) and 2) sex (males vs. females), which yielded 4 treatment groups of 14 pigs (73.1 ± 4.8 kg): male SM, male AO, female SM, and female AO (7 replicates/group). Pigs in AO groups were all slaughtered after 6 wk on trial, whereas in SM groups the 3 heaviest pigs were removed and slaughtered 2 wk before the remainder of the group, which were slaughtered at the same time as the AO pigs. Pigs were fed a liquid diet from a long trough 3 times daily. Behavioral observations were conducted before and after SM, the day of SM, and 1 and 2 wk later. Behavior was recorded both during and between feed events, and skin lesions were scored on all, except the 3 pigs removed from SM groups before and 2 wk after SM. Growth performance, feed efficiency, and carcass traits were recorded. The number of aggressive interactions during feed events decreased after the 3 pigs were removed from SM groups. This reduction in aggressive interactions was observed on the day of SM in male groups (before SM: 24.3 vs. the day of SM: 14.7, SED = 3.31, P< 0.05 for interaction) and in subsequent observations in female groups (before SM: 21.4 vs. days after SM: 13.4, SED = 3.31, P< 0.05 for interaction). However, SM had no effect on behaviors recorded between feed events or on the number and severity of skin lesions (P> 0.10). There were no differences between the 11 remaining pigs in SM groups and the 14 pigs in AO groups in terms of growth performance, feed efficiency, and carcass traits of female or intact male pigs (P> 0.10). However, reduced within-pen CV in carcass weight was detected in pigs from SM groups compared with pigs from AO groups (8.6 vs. 10.9, SEM = 0.72, P< 0.05). Therefore, in restrictively fed pigs, a SM strategy improved the welfare of both female and intact male pigs by reducing aggressive interactions during feeding but had no effect on performance or carcass traits.

The article discusses a study which examined the effect of feeding a high fibre diet on the welfare of sows housed in large dynamic groups. Two isoenergetic treatments and six replicates were carried out to determine the influence of increasing fibre levels in the concentrate ration on the location, posture and activity of newly introduced sows to the dynamic group. An ethogram of behaviours revealed that sows on high fibre treatment spent more time resting in the kennel areas and showed a reduction in some aggressive behaviours.

Previous research suggests that the digital cushion, a shock-absorbing structure in the claw, plays an important role in protecting cattle from lameness. This study aimed to assess the degree to which nutritional factors influence the composition of the digital cushion. This involved quantifying lipid content and fatty acid composition differences in digital cushion tissue from cattle offered diets with different amounts of linseed. Forty-six bulls were allocated to 1 of 4 treatments, which were applied for an average of 140 ± 27 d during the finishing period. The treatments consisted of a linseed supplement offered once daily on top of the basal diet (grass silage:concentrate) at 0, 400, 800, or 1,200 g of supplement/animal per day. For each treatment, the concentrate offered was adjusted to ensure that total estimated ME intake was constant across treatments. Target BW at slaughter was 540 kg. Legs were collected in 3 batches after 120, 147 and 185 d on experiment. Six samples of the digital cushion were dissected from the right lateral hind claw of each animal. Lipids were extracted and expressed as a proportion of fresh tissue, and fatty acid composition of the digital cushion was determined by gas chromatography. Data were analyzed by ANOVA, with diet, location within the digital cushion, and their interactions as fixed effects and fat content (grams per 100 g of tissue) as a covariate. Linear or quadratic contrasts were examined. The lipid content of digital cushion tissue differed between sampling locations (P< 0.001) but did not vary by treatment. There were quadratic responses to increasing linseed supplementation for several fatty acids. Although the overall proportion of C18:3n-3 (the most abundant fatty acid in linseed) did not differ (P< 0.33) by treatment, there was a quadratic influence of diet on total PUFA concentration (P= 0.003) and a linear increase in C18:3n-3 as a proportion of total PUFA (P= 0.01) in the digital cushion. This work demonstrates that dietary fatty acid composition influences the concentration of fatty acids incorporated in the digital cushion of cattle. Based on the large number of quadratic responses among the fatty acids, it appears there is a threshold amount of fatty acid incorporation in the digital cushion.

Simazine (6‐chloro‐N,N′‐diethyl‐1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4‐diamine) losses via runoff in California are a potential source of environmental contamination because simazine is widely used for weed control during the rainy season from November to March. This study was conducted in two citrus orchards from three rainfall events to evaluate the effects of shallow mechanical incorporation on simazine losses in runoff during the winter. Simazine losses in runoff were compared between row middles that were either undisturbed, the normal orchard practice, or subjected to shallow mechanical incorporation. Mechanical incorporation of row middles significantly reduced runoff volumes by approximately 45 and 28% for the first and second runoff events, respectively. In undisturbed plots, simazine concentrations in runoff from the first runoff event ranged from 0.62 to 0.73 mg L−1; then simazine concentrations rapidly decreased (0.03–0.35 mg L−1) from the second and third runoff events. In disturbed plots, simazine concentrations in runoff from the first runoff event ranged from 0.21 to 0.24 mg−1, but simazine concentrations remained relatively constant between the three runoff events. Total mass recoveries of simazine in runoff ranged from 1.93 to 2.97% and from 0.70 to 0.74% of application from the undisturbed plots and from the disturbed plots, respectively. Low water infiltration rate inhibited surface‐applied herbicide incorporation into the soil matrix with natural rainfall in compacted soils. Mechanical incorporation of row middles significantly reduced runoff volumes, simazine concentrations, and mass losses in runoff after application.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a systemic disease characterised by the presence of microvascular thrombi resulting from endothelial injury and platelet activation. Vascular occlusion leads to the clinical manifestations of ischaemicorgan damage, microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia and thrombocytopenia. Pancreatitis has rarely been described in association with TTP and has not been reported with TTP in pregnancy. We describe a case of pancreatic necrosis due to TTP which presented in the third trimester of pregnancy and we review the literature relating to this rare complication.

Previous studies have suggested reduced formation of secondary bile acids in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). Developments in the collection, extraction and analysis of faecal bile acids as well as in the accurate diagnosis of FAP by DNA markers prompted reinvestigation of this hypothesis. The median (interquartile range (i.q.r.)) faecal bile acid concentration (3·69 (1·66–5·36) μmol per g dry weight) and daily excretion rate (60·5 (29–149) μmol per g per 24 h) in ten patients with FAP were similar to those of nine control subjects (3·31 (0·65–8·38) μmol per g dry weight and 30·1 (7·9–228) μmol per g per 24 h). Although the median (i.q.r.) concentration of only one bile acid (12-oxo-lithocholic acid) was significantly different between patients with FAP and controls (49 (34–70) versus0 (0–20) nmol per g dry weight, P=0·006), the derivatives of chenodeoxycholic acid (3·35 (1·76–5·32) versus0·51 (0·13–2·37) μmol per g dry weight, P=0·02) and cholic acid (1·63 (0·42–2·34) versus0·80 (0·13–3·57) μmol per g dry weight, P=0·006) were increased in those with polyposis. These results show increased bacterial biotransformation of faecal bile acids in patients with FAP.

Previous studies have suggested that patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) have increased faecal excretion of cholesterol but a reduction in cholesterol metabolites. It was consequently proposed that the degree of faecal cholesterol degradation could be used as a means of diagnosis. Developments in the extraction and analysis of faecal neutral sterols as well as the accurate means of diagnosing FAP by DNA analysis and indirect ophthalmoscopy has necessitated a re-examination of this proposal. Faecal neutral sterols were analysed in 10 patients with untreated FAP following a complete 5-day stool collection and compared with 9 healthy control subjects (including 4 siblings) closely matched for age and sex. The median [25 and 75, percentiles] stool wet weights were similar between the FAP (97.5 [69, 192] g · 24 h-1) and the control (116 [61.5, 137] g · 24 h-1) groups. Faecal cholesterol concentration was similar in the two groups (FAP=2.3 [1.4, 4.2]; control=3.5 [1.0, 6.0] µmol · g-1 dry wt) as was the concentration of total neutral sterols not including plant sterols (FAP=17.2 [13.4, 21.0]; control=18.2 [7.4, 21.6] µmol · g-1 dry wt). There were no significant differences in the proportions of cholesterol metabolised between the FAP (82.3 [74.2, 93.5]%) and control (72.1 [5.7, 81.3]%) groups. This study does not support the notion that faecal neutral sterol metabolism is uniquely different in patients with FAP.

Adrenal cysts of sufficient size to be detectable clinically are rare and for that reason the following case is described:The patient was a young married woman of 25 years, ten days postpartum. The pregnancy and labour had been without incident except for a short episode of vomiting early in pregnancy. Prior to being discharged home she was examined routinely and a large, palpable tumour in the right hypochondrium extending from beneath the costal margin was found. It was noted as being a round, rather boggy swelling which moved on respiration. It was considered to be continuous with the right kidney but the house surgeon thought he could get his hand between the upper margin of the mass and the liver. The provisional diagnosis was a renal cyst.On looking back over the notes, it was then seen that a mass had been queried in the right upper abdomen at her attendance when three months pregnant and it was at that time considered to be the right kidney. The patient had not complained of this swelling nor had she noticed it.Radiology. A plain film of the abdomen showed a large, round, soft tissue mass in the right upper abdomen with a smaller soft tissue mass below it and over the spine (Fig. 1). The psoas shadow was obliterated and a thin line of calcification was seen in the upper medial outline of this mass.

IntroductionThe diagnosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) in primary care can be challenging as symptoms are variable with poor specificity. We investigated the diagnostic accuracies of faecal immunochemical test for haemoglobin (FIT) and faecal calprotectin (FCP) in symptomatic patients referred from primary care for urgent lower gastrointestinal investigations via the two-week wait colorectal pathway.Method1016 patients were prospectively recruited between January 2015 and September 2016. In total 612 patients returned stool samples, completed colonic investigations and were included in the final statistical analysis (51% women, median age 68 years, IQR: 57–76). FIT was performed on HM-JACKarc analyser (Kyowa Medex), and FCP by EliA Calprotectin immunoassay (Thermo Fisher Scientific). Any detectable FIT (detection limit 7 µg Hb/g faeces) and a cut-off of 50 µg/g for FCP were considered positive.Results37 (6%) patients were diagnosed with CRC. The negative predictive value (NPV) of FIT vs. FIT plus FCP was the same at 99% (95% CI 98% to 100%). The sensitivity and specificity of FIT was 84% and 89%, respectively. Whereas, it was 89% and 86% for FIT combined with FCP. The ROCs for FIT, FCP and both faecal biomarkers combined showed AUC 0.90, 0.73 and 0.91, respectively. Faecal ćhaemoglobin measurements were significantly higher in left-sided colonic lesions compared ćwith the right side; 490 µg Hb/g faeces vs. 90 µg Hb/g faeces; p=0.007).[Figure]ConclusionUndetectable FIT is sufficiently sensitive to exclude colorectal cancer, with higher values in left-sided lesions. FCP in combination does not appear to provide additional diagnostic information. Further studies to determine the health economic benefits of implementing FIT in primary care are required.Disclosure of InterestM. Widlak: None Declared, C. Thomas: None Declared, M. Thomas: None Declared, C. Tomkins Conflict with: Educational lectures on behalf of Thermo Fisher Scientific Ltd., S. Smith: None Declared, C. Darby: None Declared, N. O’Connell: None Declared, S. Wurie: None Declared, L. Burns: None Declared, C. Harmston: None Declared, C. Evans: None Declared, C. Nwokolo: None Declared, B. Singh: None Declared, R. Arasaradnam Conflict with: Educational lectures on behalf of Thermo Fisher Scientific Ltd.

Profitable suckler beef enterprises in Ireland should consist of cows capable of producing adequate milk yield to wean a heavy calf from seasonal low-input pasture based systems. The aim of this study was to determine estimates of grass dry matter intake (GDMI) at pasture and compare production efficiency of lactating beef (n=62) and dairy x beef (DBX; n=69) suckler cows of high and low genetic merit for Replacement Index. A total of 112 primiparous and 80 second parity cows were available from Limousin (LM) or Aberdeen Angus (AA) sires, calved in spring 2014 and 2015 with a mean calving date of 22 March. Cows were managed under a rotational grazing system with average pre- and post- grazing heights of 11.1 (s.d. 2.1) cm and 4.2 (s.d. 0.7) cm respectively. Cow live weight (LW) and body condition score (BCS) were recorded every three weeks. Estimates of milk yield were measured at 120 and 156 days in milk (DIM) in 2014 and at 50, 117 and 184 DIM in 2015 using the weigh-suckle-weigh technique. Estimates of GDMI were established using the n-alkane technique six days post milk yield measures. Beef cows were 55 kg heavier (P<0.001) and had a 0.31 greater BCS (P<0.001) than DBX. The DBX had a 0.8 kg greater GDMI (P<0.001) and produced 1.8 kg more milk than beef (P<0.001). Beef cows had a lower RFI than DBX (0.63 and 0.1 UFL, respectively; P<0.001). The DBX produced 0.45 kg (P<0.001) and 0.12 kg (P<0.001) more milk per unit LW and per unit GDMI, respectively, than beef. Intake capacity was 2.32 and 1.96 kg per unit LW (P<0.001) for DBX and beef, respectively. Low genetic merit cows were 23 kg heavier than high genetic merit cows (P<0.05) but no differences were observed in any of the production efficiency variables investigated.

Adults with ileal disease or resection have biliary cholesterol supersaturation and are therefore prone to cholesterol cholelithiasis. Our previous studies have shown that bile from children witli ileal resection/disease (IR/D) was not supersaturated with cholesterol (Gastroenterol 1982;82:1295). The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that infants with IR/D will develop biliary cholesterol supersaturation after puberty presumably because of the influence of sex hormones in biliary secretion. Five sexually mature subjects (3M, 2F, age 16-19 yr) who had been previously investigated in childhood (ages 4-9 yrs) were studied. Ultrasound examination of the gallbladder performed using real-time sonography revealed gallstones on one subject. Duodenal bile samples, obtained after an overnight fast, were examined for bile acids (BA), phospholipid (PL) and cholesterol (XOL), and the molar fraction (M%) and lithogenic index (LI) calculated. Comparisons are shown between subjects prior to puberty (C), post puberty (PP) and 20 young adult controls [x±SEM, *p<.001 or +p <.005 vs. Ileal disease (PP)]:Conculsions: Children with ileal resection/dysfunction are not at risk for cholesterol gallstone Formation during childhood; however, biliary cholesterol supersaturation after puberty predispose them to cholesterol cholelithiasis.