Collection of Scientiﬁ c Papers - Aspen Veterinary Resources · 2019. 3. 13. · 3 SOP srl - via Parco Alto Milanese 1 - 21052 Busto Arsizio (VA) - ITALY - tel: +39 0331 342 508

The following studies

were conducted by SOP,

the manufacturer of Easy

Cow, Gold Pro Cow and

Gold Calf. Aspen Veterinary

Resources is the exclusive

distributor of these products

for the United States.

Collection of Scientifi c Papers

1

Index

Cattle sector Hygiene in cattle: microbiological screening of permanent litter after treatment with a new concept bio-cleaner and the economical aspect. University of Perugia, (Perugia, PG, Italy), 2003.....................................................................3

Evaluation of the efficacy of a litter additive in the control of Staphylococcus spp. and coliform levels: preliminary results of a field trial on organic chianina beef cattle. 4th World Italian Beef Cattle Congress, (Gubbio, PG, Italy), 2005. ........................................... 5

Evaluation of control measures for Clostridial diseases in dairy cattle. Evaluation of control measures for Clostridial diseases in dairy cattle Acts of the Italian Buiatrics Society, Teramo National Congress (Teramo, Italy), 2005 ................ 6

Efficacy of a bio-hygienization additive on microbial control in dairy cow bedding. NMC 46th Annual Meeting ( San Antonio, Texas, USA), 2007.......................................................12

Efficacy of a Bio-hygienization Additive in Controlling the yeast-like microalga Prototheca zopfii. NMC 47th Annual Meeting (New Orleans, Louisiana, USA), 2008.................................................15

Monitoring of the efficacy of a Bio-hygienization treatment on the reduction of the microbial load in cubicles of an Italian herd. NMC 48th Annual Meeting (Charlotte, North Carolina, USA), 2009 ....................................... 16

Monitoring of the efficacy of a bio-hygienization treatment on the reduction of the microbial load in cubicles with mats of an Italian dairy herd. NMC 49th Annual Meeting (Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA), 2010 ..................................... 18

Monitoring of the effects of a bio-hygienization treatment on the growth performance of calves for replacement heifers. XXVI Buiatrics World Congress (Santiago, Chile), 2010 ....................................................... 20

The annual monitoring of the SCC on a commercial Italian farm treated with SOP C COW. NMC 50th Annual Meeting (Arlington, Virginia), 2011 ..................................................................... 21

SOP treatment of separate manure solids reduced Klebsiella bacteria counts. NMC 50th Annual Meeting (Arlington, Virginia), 2011 ..................................................................... 23

Investigation on a bio-hygienizing additive for oral use in dairy cows: effect on milk somatic cell count. Investigation on a bio-hygienizing additive for oral use in dairy cows: effect on milk somatic cell count. ADSA - AMPA - ASAS - CSAS - WSASAS Joint Annual Meeting (Phoenix, Arizona, USA) 2012 ................... 25

2

Swine sector

Monitoring of the efficacy of SOP GOLD PIG on the reduction of the microbial load in an Italian commercial fattening piglet farm. Monitoring of the efficacy of SOP GOLD PIG on the reduction of the microbial load in an Italian commercial fattening piglet farm. ADSA-CSAS-ASAS Joint Annual Meeting (Montréal, Québec, Canada), 2009 .......................... 26

Poultry sector

Evaluation of the efficacy of a litter additive in the control of the ammonia level in broiler houses: preliminary results. 42nd SIPA Meeting, Forlì (Forlì, FC, Italy), 2003 ............................................................................ 27

Hygiene on the poultry farm: microbiological monitoring of the environment after treatment with an innovative bio-hygienizer. University of Perugia (Perugia, PG, Italy), 2004 ................................................................... 30

Evaluation of the efficacy of a bio-hygienization additive in ammonia level control in broiler houses. Evaluation of the efficacy of a bio-hygienization additive in ammonia level control in broiler houses ADSA-CSAS-ASAS Joint Meeting (San Antonio, Texas, USA), 2007..................................... 33

Equine sector

Case study: improvement of recovery and hydration status in endurance horses by oral administration of a new feed additive: SOP EQUWHITE. ESVCN Annual Congress (Oristano, Sardinia, Italy) 2009 ..................................................... 34

Preliminary results on a new feed supplement for horse performance: SOP GO HORSE on recovery, muscular metabolism and hydration. 11th Congress of New Findings in Equine Practice (International Horse Centre, La Venaria Reale, Turin,

Italy), 2009 ..................................................................................................................... 35

Evaluation of the influence of the SOP SQH377 formula on the haematopoiesis of

competitive horses

XIX SIVE-FEEVA Congress (Arezzo, Italy), 2013………………………………………………..41

Agricultural sector

A new phytostimulating treatment for Maize seeds germination. 17th IFOAM Organic World Congress (Namyangju City, Rep. of Korea), 2011 ........................ 43

3

SOP srl - via Parco Alto Milanese 1 - 21052 Busto Arsizio (VA) - ITALY - tel: +39 0331 342 508 - www.sopgroup.com

Hygiene in cattle: microbiological screening of permanent litter after treatment with a new concept bio-cleaner and the

economical aspect

M. Mattoni, B. M. Torquati, G. Tacconi

Department of Veterinary Bio-Pathological Sciences Pathology and Hygiene Section, University of Perugia, Italy

A lack of documentation referred to the SOP C COW effects on bovine litter conditions has been

the first reason to research for this subject with the aim: to evaluate the efficacy of this product on

the control of some bacteriological agents as: Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus spp.

Results and Discussion

The results concerning the determination of Escherichia coli and of Staphylococcus spp. are

explained in the following tables. In both sheds we found differences between the treated litter and

the non-treated on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus spp. showing, among all the tested samples,

a significant reduction of values (P

4


Milking cows:

Results from the determination of Escherichia coli on non-treated litter and treated Samples Not treated litter Treated litter

cfu/g log10 cfu/g log10 VAR%

S1 1.000.000 6

S2 400.000 5,6 20.000 4,3 -50%

S3 1.600.000 6,2 800.000 5,9 -50%

S4 130.000.000 8,11 7.700.000 6,88 -94%

S5 281.000.000 8,44 13.000.000 7,11 -95%

S6 400.000 5,6 36.000 4,55 -91%

Milking cows:

Results from the determination of Staphylococcus spp. on non-treated litter and treated Samples Not treated litter Treated litter

cfu/g log10 cfu/g log10 VAR%

S1 93.000.000 7,6

S2 4.400.000.000 9,64 410.000.000 8,61 -90%

S3 98.000.000.000 10,99 1.150.000.000 9,06 -98%

S4 73.000.000.000 10,86 9.100.000.000 9,95 -87%

S5 8.200.000.000 9,91 380.000.000 8,57 -95%

5


Evaluation of the efficacy of a litter additive in the control of Staphylococcus spp. and coliform levels: preliminary results of a

field trial on organic chianina beef cattle

P. Casagrande Proietti, R. Franceschini, M. Pennacchi, G. Tacconi

Department of Veterinary Bio-Pathological Sciences Pathology and Hygiene Section, University of Perugia, Italy

Presented at the 4th World Italian Beef Cattle Congress (Gubbio, PG, Italy) 2005

The present study was conducted to evaluate in field the efficacy of an additive (SOP® C COW), as

an agent for the control of some micro-organisms in bovine litter.

The Staphylococcus species (spp.), and Coliforms concentrations, in litter samples of both the

boxes, T (Treated) and C (Control) selected, were determined, and also the Coliforms isolated were

identified.

The results observed in the litter sampled in box T and C until November 2004 showed a significant

concentration reduction of Staphylococcus spp., (P = 0.089927, and Coliforms, P = 0.05558) than

the control C. The biochemical identification of Coliforms isolated showed Escherichia coli (E.

coli) only in litter sampled in the box C.

Results and discussion

The results from the litter sampled until November 2004 are summarised in Table 1.

The mean levels of Staphylococcus spp. and Coliforms in litter in box T were lower than in the box

C; Significant differences between experimental and control samples with regard both the microbial

cell counts Staphylococcus spp. and Coliforms) were observed P = 0.089927 for Staphylococcus

spp. e P = 0.05558 in Coliforms.

The bacterial counts of the treated litter were reduced to about 39-50% of the control values; E. coli

(E. coli) was isolated only in control litter sampled.

These first results suggest the additive efficacy in the Staphylococcus spp. and Coliforms control in

the litter of the box T.

Conclusions

The control of micro-organisms such as Staphylococcus spp. and E. coli in organic bovine litter is

essential for better health and animal food products safeguard.

The data of the present study seem to indicate a significant reduction of the bacteria evaluated in the

treated litter and if confirmed during subsequent trials these could represent the adoption of key

management practice in order to provide significant reduction in some pathogens.

6


Evaluation of control measures for Clostridial diseases in dairy cattle.

Arpinelli A.*, Ghidini F.**, Piancastelli C.** and Cavirani S.**

*Free-lance Veterinary, ** Department of Animal Health, University of Parma, Italy

Acts of the Italian Buiatrics Society– Teramo National Congress (Teramo, TE, Italy) 2005

SUMMARY

A study on the prevalence of Clostridial diseases (sudden death syndrome and gangrenous mastitis)

was carried out in a dairy herd during the period 2001-2004. The clostridial vaccination introduced

in 2003 led to a decrease in the Clostridial disease prevalence from 9.5%, observed in 2001-2002, to

4.5%. In 2004, the combination of the vaccination with the installation of a hydraulic device which

increases the amount of oxygen in the drinking water, produced a further reduction in the Clostridial

disease prevalence to 2.5%.

INTRODUCTION

The anaerobic characteristics of the clostrides and their capacity to produce forms which are

environmentally resistant, that is, spores, has lead to the conclusion that they represent one of the

most primordial forms of life on Earth. Their ability to adapt means that they are widespread and

can live inside the animal organism, as a part of the normal bacterial flora. The ability of some

clostridial species to produce potent toxins determines the pathogenetic coefficient which often

results fatal for the host. Ruminants, for their intrinsic characteristics and alimentary needs, are

especially exposed to contact with and the ingestion of clostrides, especially spores, which make

them subject to pathological manifestations connected to the activity of bacterial replication and

consequent production of toxins. The pathological picture is, in any case, to be attributed to the

specific effect of the toxins on the particular target organs.

The bovine species, therefore, is subject to this pathological mechanism. Within the sphere of this

species, enterotoxaemia represents the principle pathological manifestation attributable to the

clostridia pathogens (5). In this context, the prevailing species are Clostridium perfringens, Cl.

sordellii and Cl. septicum (7). The first represents, without doubt, the major cause of

enterotoxaemia in cattle (1). Currently, in the sphere of Cl. perfringens, 5 biotypes (A, B, C, D, E)

have been identified which produce particular toxins (alpha, beta, epsilon and iota) (8). To these,

further toxins are added (beta 2 and enterotoxin-CPE) which have a significant pathogenic

relevance (3).

The clinical forms which are included in the general term “enterotoxaemia” are variegated,

however, the one with the greatest importance for the animal husbandry economy is the “sudden

death syndrome” (2). This phenomenon, in some cases, creates a real emergency situation, both in

terms of the frequency at which the pathology manifests itself and the economic value of the

animals afflicted which, in the case of dairy farms, are usually the most productive animals due to

their ingestion of a significant amount food (1).

The pathology is linked to the massive ingestion of spores, the pathogenic characteristic of the

clostrides and is heavily conditioned by the feed-digestion situation which creates the perfect

conditions for the clostridial replication activity. It is commonly assumed that Unifeed alimentation

has exasperated the pathology, some elements seeming to heavily condition the phenomenon: the

massive ingestion of soil, that is mixed with the feed in the mixer, implicates a high ratio of spores;

there is also the possibility that there is fermentation in and around the mixer, so much so as to alter

the normal ruminal and enteric flora, creating conditions for clostridial development.

7


Concerning corrective actions, the vaccination represents the most immediate approach (6). The in-

the-field results of the vaccination are, however, inconsistent. This could be due to the vaccinal

antigenic profile’s lack of response to the range of toxins produced by the infecting clostrides, but

the fact that the production of toxins exceeds the quota of antibodies introduced by the vaccine is

more plausible. In the light of this, it is evident that in order to keep the Clostridial diseases under

control, a combination approach is required: the vaccination combined with an alimentation

management aimed at reducing the ingestion of spores and/or counteracting the germination of

these, thus reducing clostridial replication and the consequent production of toxins.

This study illustrates the results of an integrated protocol for the control of Clostridial diseases on a

high production dairy farm with a significant prevalence of the diseases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was carried out on an Italian Friesian dairy farm with 400 cows in production. The basic

ration (kg/head), in Unifeed, was made up of alfalfa hay (1.50), mixed grass hay (0.5), wheat (1.20),

whole cotton seeds (1.50), Soya extract flour (3.20), grain roughage (1.20), maize grain (2.50),

vitamin complex (0.16), molasses (0.50), feed (0.50), chopped mixed grass (4.0), chopped maize

(27): Total ingredients 43.76 kg/head and dry substances 21.22%. This ration did not undergo

significant variations regarding its principle components during the whole observation period.

In the past, some animals on the farm in question have suffered from Clostridial diseases, in the

form of “sudden death syndrome” and a gangrenous type mastitis. There was a fresh outbreak of

these phenomena following the transfer from traditional alimentation to the Unifeed regime.

Since 2001, data has been gathered regarding the clostridial pathology. Diagnosis was made

through clinical, necroscopic and laboratory examinations. In these, regarding subjects afflicted by

“sudden death syndrome”, the intestinal content was removed, placed in containers filled up to the

brim, hermetically sealed and refrigerated until being sent to the laboratory. The cultural

examination was carried out, following normal standards, within 12 hours from death. In order to

determine the presence of Clostridium spp.,

8


TABLE 1

Data regarding the cases of Clostridial diseases (sudden death and gangrenous mastitis) 2001 -

2003

2001 2002 2003

Animals Clostridium Gangrenous

mastitis


mastitis


mastitis

January

421 1 (0.2%) 0 418 0 1 (0.2%) 411 0 0

February

417 3 (0.7%) 0 421 3 (0.7%) 1 (0.2%) 411 1 (0.2%) 0

March

416 0 1 (0.2%) 419 3 (0.7%) 0 414 1 (0.2%) 0

April

414 1 (0.2%) 0 422 0 1 (0.2%) 412 0 0

May

411 2 (0.5%) 1 (0.2%) 424 4 (0.9%) 2 (0.5%) 412 2 (0.5%) 0

June

409 4 (0.9%) 1 (0.2%) 419 6 (1.4%) 0 414 2 (0.5%) 0

July

412 5 (1.2%) 3 (0.7%) 422 9 (2.1%) 2 (0.5%) 415 4 (0.9%) 2(0.5%)

August

409 4 (0.9%) 2 (0.5%) 418 2 (0.5%) 0 412 1 (0.2%) 0

September

411 3 (0.7%) 0 420 1 (0.2%) 2 (0.5%) 413 2 (0.5%) 1 (0.2%)

October

412 1 (0.2%) 0 422 0 1 (0.2%) 410 2 (0.5%) 0

November

414 1 (0.2%) 0 420 3 (0.7%) 0 412 0 0

December

411 3 (0.7%) 0 423 1 (0.2%) 0 411 1 (0.2%) 0

TOTAL

413 28 (6.8%) 8 (1.9%) 420 32 (7.6%) 10 (2.4%) 412 16 (3.9%) 3 (0.7%)

The prevalence of the clostridial pathologies observed during the two different periods and,

regarding 2004, in the two groups (A and B) underwent statistic evaluation via the application of

the chi-square test.

RESULTS

Table 1 shows data regarding to the Clostridial diseases (sudden death syndrome and gangrenous

mastitis) during 2001-2003. The data regarding this period refers to all the adult animals present on

the farm.

9


TABLE 2

Data regarding the cases of Clostridial diseases (sudden death syndrome and gangrenous mastitis)

recorded in 2004.

GROUP A GROUP B


mastitis


mastitis

January

194 0 0 202 1 (0.5%) 0

February

193 0 0 201 0 1 (0.5%)

March

194 0 1 (0.5%) 203 0 0

April

196 0 0 205 1 (0.5%) 0

May

196 1 (0.5%) 0 204 0 0

June

192 0 0 206 2 (0.9%) 1 (0.5%)

July

193 2 (1.0%) 0 206 1 (0.5%) 0

August

193 0 1 (0.5%) 203 0 0

September

195 0 0 204 3 (1.5%) 0

October

195 0 0 205 0 0

November

196 0 0 204 0 0

December

193 0 0 203 0 0

TOTAL

194 3 (1.5%) 2 (1.0%) 204 8 (3.9%) 2 (0.9%)

Table 2 shows data referring to 2004. Considering the introduction, in 2004, of variables regarding

the treatment of the drinking water, the data referring to this period has been examined apart due to

the two different groups characterised by differing hydraulic provisions (A and B). In both cases, a

monthly distribution of the clinical cases of Clostridial diseases has been shown.

The data obtained shows a substantial uniformity of the clinical Clostridial disease prevalence

during the two year period 2001 - 2002, a period in which no specific controlling measures were

applied.

Following the administration of the vaccination in 2003, there was a significant (chi-square p

10


sudden death were 3 (1.5%) and 8 (3.9%) respectively. The difference in prevalence observed in the

two groups appears statistically significant.

Generally, it emerges that the greater part of the cases of enterotoxaemia, manifested as sudden

death, were observed during the summer months.

DISCUSSIONS AND CONCLUSIONS

The data obtained from this study leads to the formulation of some considerations about controlling

the Clostridial diseases on the farm subject of this study, with general repercussions on the control

of the diseases on cattle farms in general, dairy farms in particular.

Without doubt, Clostridial disease is a pathology capable of causing relevant damage on farms

where there are advantageous conditions for its pathogenic potential.

The summer months represent the period of greatest incidence of the diseases, which can lead to the

assumption that this period is at risk of outbreaks of enterotoxaemia as there are predisposing

conditions for an increase in the diseases.

In the absence of control interventions, the prevalence of the diseases undergoes insignificant

variations, or, anyway, is linked to a complexity of unforeseeable situations, in which it is not

possible to actively intervene.

The introduction of the vaccination brought about a significant reduction in the cases of sudden

death and gangrenous mastitis, demonstrating that the vaccine was able to contain the action of the

toxins produced by the clostrides. This indicates how, on the farm in question, there was a

correspondence in terms of homology between the antitoxins in the vaccinations and the toxins

produced by the infecting clostrides. It must, however, be observed that after the vaccinations and in

the absence of further control measures, a certain quota of the pathology remained of a lethal

character.

The integration of the vaccinations with the installation of the SOP WAS® device brought about a

further reduction in the number of cases of enterotoxaemia (sudden death syndrome) with respect to

when these problems were managed by only vaccinations.

This demonstrates that this device reduces the proliferation of the clostridial pathogens, given that

its action of releasing more oxygen into the drinking water produces an enteric environment which

is unfavourable for the germination of the clostridial spores and, thus, for the replication of the

clostrides and their consequent production of toxins.

All this information confirms the common conviction of the necessity of an integrated control

programme for Clostridial diseases, and especially enterotoxaemia. The vaccination is an adequate

solution for the management of enterotoxaemia problems in cattle. The efficacy of the vaccine is

predominantly linked to homology between the vaccinal antigens and the toxins produced by the

infected clostrides. In this way, it is fundamental to carry out continuous epidemiologic monitoring

of the toxinogenic characteristics of the isolated strains. Today, there is a particular interest in the

evaluation of the prevalence of strains producing beta 2 toxins regarding Cl. perfringens. This toxin

has an indisputable pathogenic power and is not affected by any vaccine on the market today. The

current opinion indicates that the study of the isolated strains, through PCR, is an adequate way to

achieve the objective (4). Having said this, it should be emphasised how the vaccination in itself

does not have any control over clostridial replication. Thus, in the case of massive clostridial

replication, even when there is a homological vaccination against the toxins produced by the

clostrides, it remains comprehensible that there will be a deficit of the vaccination antitoxins with

regards to the toxins produced by the clostrides. The extent of this deficit will condition the

modulation of the diseases, both in terms of their prevalence and the extent of their clinical

seriousness.

In conclusion, the conviction expressed previously should be reiterated, that, in order to obtain

efficient control over Clostridial diseases, and especially enterotoxaemia, in cattle, an integrated

protocol must be applied which consists of vaccination and the adoption of management-alimentary

11


type measures aimed at limiting the ingestion of spores and/or the development of toxinogenic

vegetative forms.

References:

(1) Daubeg (1992). Clostridium perfringens et pathologie digestives. Ann. Med. Vet., 136:

5-30.

(2) De Grotib (1994). Sudden death syndrome of feeder cattle: a proposal for a new approach. Proc.

Am. Ass. Bov. Pract., 26:140.

(3) Gilbert M. Jolivet-Renoucd, POPOFFM.R (1997). Beta 2 toxin, a novel toxin produced by

Clostridium perfringens. Gene, 203: 65-73.

(4) Meerr e Songerl C. (1997). Multiplex polymerase chain reaction assay for genotyping

Clostridium perfringens. Am. J. VetoRes., 58: 702-705.

(5) Popoffm R (1989). Les enterotoxemies. Rev. Med. Vet., 140:479-491.

(6) Popoffm (1996). Enterotoxines bacteriennes: structure, mode d'action et approche

vaccinale. Rev. Med. Vet., 147: 425-438.

(7) Schelcher F. e Cabainep (2002). Principlales causes de morts subites chez les bovins.

Le Point Veterinarie, 24: 16-32.

(8) Smedley J.G., Fisherd J, Sayeeds, Ùiakrabartgi, McClaneba (2004). The

enteric toxin of Clostridium perfringens. Rev. Physiol.Biochem. Pharmacol., 152:183-204.

12


Efficacy of a bio-hygienization additive on microbial control in dairy cow bedding

G. Tacconi1, M. Pennacchi

1, P. Boni

1, A. Covarelli

1, A. Zanierato

2

1Department of Bio pathological Science and Hygiene of Food and Animal Productions

Veterinary Medicine Faculty, University of Perugia, Italy

2SOP Srl, Busto Arsizio, Italy

Presented at the NMC 46

th Annual Meeting (San Antonio, Texas, USA) 2007

The health and hygiene of the cow, the environment where the cow is housed, and the cleaning and

sanitizing procedures (5) are some of the predisposing factors for udder infections and mastitis. In

particular, environment and different housing management may be associated with a variety of risk

factors (4), i.e. high stoking density, dirty bedding, high humidity and thermal stress. Used bedding

has been shown to harbour large numbers of micro-organisms (1), (2), (6). These micro-organisms

include streptococci, staphylococci, spore formers, coliforms and other Gram negative bacteria (4)

that may influence the contamination of the teats, the udders and the milk. Various attempts have

been made to control the microbial population of bedding (3) to improve welfare and health of the

cows. The aim of the present field study was to investigate: 1) the efficacy of a bio-hygienic

additive as an agent for the microbial dairy bedding control, and 2) the possible role of this product

to reduce the somatic cell counts in milk.

Materials and Methods

Herd characteristics. The study was carried out during two years (2004-2005) in a commercial

Umbrian Herd (Central Italy), consisting of 60 lactating cows free stall housed, and laying on

bedding straw. Feed and water were available ad libitum.

Bedding

Consisted of 30 cm of wheat straw covering the laying area and was regularly changed every 3

months.

Litter treatment

The bedding surface was covered by calcium sulphate and essential oils of lavender and lemon

grass as follows: a) SOP C ACTIVATOR, at 1 g/100 Kg/bw,, two times/week during the 1st month;

b) the additive (SOP C COW), at 1 g/100 Kg/bw, once/week after the 1st month.

Sampling

Bedding samples were monthly taken in six different areas within the dairy house over the year

2004, before the bedding treatment, and the sampling was repeated in the same areas over a 12-

months period, 2005, during the bedding treatment. The six samples were then pooled in a

moisture-proof container for transport to the laboratory.

Microbial analyses. Twenty-five grams of each pool were transferred into a sterile whirlpak bag and

225 ml of sterile 1% buffered peptone water added. The sample was allowed to sit for 30-60 min at

room temperature with frequent shaking. One ml of this sample was transferred to 9 mL of Sterile

saline (1:10 dilution) and serially diluted to 10-9

and the following media (Oxoid) were inoculated

with the diluted sample preparations (0.1 ml): tryptose agar= yields total aerobic bacteria plate

count; Violet red bile agar = yields enterobacteriaceae; Baird-Parker agar yields micrococcaceae.

After incubation at 37°C for 24-48 hours and the number of grown colonies was determined as

CFU/g.

13


Somatic milk cells

Data on somatic cell counted in milk produced by all the cows in 2004 (before the bedding

treatment) were compared with the somatic cell counts evaluated in milk produced in 2005 (during

the bedding treatment).

Statistical Analyses

The results were analysed using the ANOVA procedure, the Correlation test, and t-test.


The results are summarized in the Table 1 and show: 1) a significant reduction both of the bacterial

counts (P

14


3) Veloso, J. R., P. B. Hamilton, and C. R. Parkhurst . (1974). The use of Formaldehyde Flakes as

an Antimicrobial Agent in Built-up Poultry Litter. Poultry Sci., 53: 78-83.

4).Waller, K. P. (2006). Mastitis control in ruminants.

http://www.ilri.cgiar.org./InfoServ/Fulldocs/Yakpro/SessionF5.htm.

5) Zecconi, A., V. Bronzo, R. Piccinini, P. Moroni, and G. Ruffo (1996). Field study on the

relationship between tickness changes and intramammary infections. J. Dairy Sci.,63: 361-368.

6) Zehner, M. M., R. J. Farnsworth, R. D. Appleman, K. Larntz, and J. A. Springer. (1986). Growth

of environmental mastitis pathogens in various bedding materials. J. Dairy Sci.,69:1932.

15


Efficacy of a Bio-hygienization Additive in Controlling the yeast-like microalga Prototheca zopfii

A. Zanierato1, P. Buzzini

2


2Department of Applied Biology, Section of Microbiology, University of Perugia, Italy

Presented at the NMC 47th Annual Meeting (New Orleans, Louisiana, USA) 2008

Mastitis caused by the yeast-like microalga Prototheca zopfii represents the main form of

occurrence of protothecosis observed in dairy cows. The aim of this study has been focused on the

in vitro ability of this product to reduce the concentration of viable cells of P. zopfii.

An aliquot of suspensions of growing cells from each of the above strains was inoculated into a

sterile manure sample. SOP® C COW was thus added (treated sample). Subsequently, every 7 days,

SOP C COW was added. After same time another sample was incubated without treatments

(untreated).

The statistical evaluation of the results was carried out by ANOVA.


When compared to the untreated sample, the use of SOP C COW exhibited a significant (P

16


Monitoring of the efficacy of a Bio-hygienization treatment on the reduction of the microbial load in cubicles of an Italian herd

Valerio Bronzo1, Andrea Zanierato

2, Roberto Varano

3, Paolo Moroni

1

1Department of Veterinary Pathology, Hygiene and Public Health,

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milan, Italy 2 SOP srl, Busto Arsizio, Italy

3Animal Production Practitioners, Italy


th Annual Meeting (Charlotte, North Carolina, USA) 2009

Mastitis caused by environmental micro-organisms is becoming more and more prominent in dairy

cow farms all over the world (Schukken et al, 2005). This problem is particularly evident in farms

that use organic bedding, because these environments are a great source of nutrients and have the

micro-environmental conditions which are suitable for the development of microbial populations in

general and bacteria in particular.

The dynamics within these populations are affected by many factors which can be structural (stable

buildings), environmental (temperature, humidity, pH, O2 presence, type and composition of

covering material and so on.) or due to farm management (number of animals, frequency of bedding

renewing, characteristics of the hygienization treatments that are used).

Bedding maintenance management especially influences these bacterial populations, reducing the

degree of udder contamination in dairy cows and thus reducing the consequent pathologies.

The aim of this experiment is to evaluate the influence of a bio-hygienization treatment on the

dynamics of some pathogenic bacterial species.


The cows in a commercial dairy farm, in cubicles and on a base of recycled manure covered with

chopped wheat straw which was renewed weekly, were divided into two groups of 70 animals each,

Group 1 (treated with the bio-hygienization product) and Group 2 (control group).

Treatment was carried out on the cubicles of Group 1 with SOP® C COW at a dose of 10

grams/head/per week, a total of 700 grams/week, over the whole experimentation period.

Each group was divided into 3 sub-groups of 5 cubicles each: Group 1 (treated) A, B, C; Group 2

(control) C, D, E. These cubicles were marked and bedding samples were taken from them, for

microbiological analysis, over the whole experimentation period.

Samples were taken from 5 different points of the bedding for a total amount of 3 cm3, fresh

bedding was avoided and a “cup” sampler was used at a depth of between 0 and 5 cm.

The samples collected from one sampling session from each sub-group were put together in a single

sample of 75 cm3 in a sterile jar for microbiological analysis. Each sampling session was, therefore,

composed of 25 parts/sub-samples.

The experimental groups were monitored over a period of 360 days from the beginning of treatment

(July 2007-July 2008), taking samples every 20 days.

The following microbiological parameters were considered on the bedding samples:

Total Bacterial Count (TBC), environmental streptococci, total coliforms, E. coli.

Treatment, sampling time and their interactive effects were assessed by comparing the mean

absolute values of the different bacterial counts using a multivariate variance analysis in a general

linear model (SPSS 16.0, SPSS, Inc., Chicago, USA). Statistical significance was accepted at p < 0.05.

17


Results and discussions

Bedding treatment reduced significantly the streptococcal (p=0.046), total coliforms (p=0.044) and

E. coli loads (p=0.005). Sampling time was significant for all the bacterial classes while no

interactions between the bacterial load and sampling time were observed. Results have been

reported in the following graphs:

Results have shown that bedding treatment decreases the total bacterial load and, in particular, has a

significant effect on the reduction of some classes of environmental mastitis pathogens, as a source

of clinical mastitis (Bradley et al, 2007; Wolfová et al, 2005).

References:

Schukken Y.H., Tikofsky L.L., Zadocks R.N. Environmental control for mastitis prevention, milk quality and food safety. Mastitis in Dairy Production Current Knowledge and Future Solutions

edited by H. Hogeveen, Wageningen Academic Publishers, 2005, 109-114

Bradley A.J., Leach K.A., Breen J.E., Green L.E., Green M.J. Survey of the incidence and aetiology

of mastitis on dairy farms in England and Wales. Vet Rec. 2007; 160(9): 287-93

Wolfová M., Stípková M., Wolf J. Incidence and economics of clinical mastitis in five Holstein

herds in the Czech Republic. Prev Vet Med. 2006; 77(1-2): 48-64

0

50000000

100000000

150000000 110.855.965

76.612.281

CF

U/g

Mean TBC - over 360 days

Control Treated

0

200000

400000 247.740

45.168

CF

U/g

Mean streptococcal count - over

360 days

Control Treated

0 500000

1000000 1500000 2000000

1.802.526

328.705

CF

U/g

Mean total coliforms count - over

360 days

Control Treated

0 200000 400000 600000 800000

1000000

914.413

214.239

CF

U/g

Mean E.coli count - over 360 days

Control Treated

18


Monitoring of the efficacy of a bio-hygienization treatment on the reduction of the microbial load in cubicles with mats of an Italian dairy herd

Michela Favretti1, Paolo Moroni

2, Valerio Bronzo

2, Sergio Cavalli

3, Andrea Zanierato

3

1 Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, San Donà di Piave (VE), Italy

2 Dipartimento di Patologia Animale, Igiene e Sanità Pubblica Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Milano (MI), Italy

3 SOP srl, Busto Arsizio (VA), Italy


th Annual Meeting (Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA) 2010

The correct control of sanitary problems is a fundamental matter on dairy farms from both a health

and productivity point of view. In fact, mastitis caused by environmental micro-organisms is one of

the main problems for dairy farms all over the world (Schukken et al., 2005) and its effect on the

farm’s turnover is significant. This problem especially concerns farms using organic bedding and

the dynamics of the bacterial populations present on these farms will vary, depending on the type of

farm and its management. It remains, however, of great importance also for farms with

cubicles/stalls and synthetic mats. The objective of this study is to investigate the influence of a bio-

hygienization treatment on cubicles/stalls with synthetic rubber mats, evaluating its influence on the

dynamics of the microbial populations during the spring/summer period.


The investigation was carried out on a dairy farm in the north of Italy, where the animals were

housed in cubicles/stalls with synthetic, rubber mats. The animals were divided into two groups of

20 cattle each, all at a similar stage of lactation: Group 1 was an untreated control and Group 2 was

treated with the bio-hygienization product.

Treatment was carried out on the cubicles of Group 2 using SOP® C COW at a dosage of 10

g/head/week for the whole trial period. In each group, 5 cubicles/stalls were identified, evenly

spaced within the barn, from which microbiological samples were taken every 15 days during the

period from February to June 2009. The samples for microbiological analysis were taken from each

of the 10 cubicles/stalls, at the same point in all cubicles/stalls and for all samples, in the area where

the udder rests.

The samples were taken with sterile sponges of 10 cm2 (1.55 in

2), which were wiped over the

surface of the mat using a 10 x 10 cm (3.93 in x 3.93 in) sterile square template for a total surface of

100cm2. The samples were placed in sterile bags, taken to the laboratory within 1 hour from

sampling and kept at a temperature of 4°C (39.2° F). The samples were analysed for: total bacterial

load, environmental Streptococci, total Coliforms, E. coli.

The samples were carried out at the following times: T0 = 80 days from the beginning of treatment,

T14 = 94 days, T28 = 108 days, T42 = 122 days, T56 = 136 days, T70 = 150 days, T85 = 165 days.

The values recorded were normalized using a logarithmic transformation and repeated measure

analysis of variance (GLM REP, SPSS 17.0™) was carried out.

19


Results and Discussions

The treatment resulted in statistically significant values (p

20


Monitoring of the effects of a bio-hygienization treatment on the growth performance of calves for replacement heifers

Andrea Zanierato1, Irene Accorinti

1, Paola Luparia

1, Valerio Bronzo

3, Elise Tetone

2, Ken Leslie

2

1 SOP s.r.l. Busto Arsizio (VA), Italy

2 Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada

3 Dipartimento di Patologia Animale, Igiene e Sanità Pubblica Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Milano,

Italy

Presented at the Buiatrics World Congress (Santiago, Chile) 2010

Introduction Housing and environmental management is fundamental in maintaining good health in calves.

Appropriate bedding and air quality are important preventive measures for common calf diseases,

such as respiratory disease and diarrhoea (Mc Farland, 1996; Holmes, 2000). The aim of this

research was to evaluate effects of a bio-hygienization treatment of maternity and calf pen bedding

on environmental factors, health and growth performance of commercial replacement heifer calves.

Materials & methods The investigation involved 19 heifer calves on a commercial dairy farm in Ontario, Canada. Maternity pens were randomly assigned to either bedding bio-hygienization (SOP C COW 20

g/head, 2/week) or no treatment (control). Individual calf pens were likewise assigned (SOP C

CALF 3 g/head, 2/week). Communal weaned calf pens were likewise assigned (SOP C COW 3

g/head, 2/week). The trial lasted 120 days (May 14th 2009–Sept. 14

th 2009). During the trial,

ammonia emissions, Total Coliform (TCC) and E. coli in the bedding were investigated every 14

days. After the trial, the calves’ mortality rate in both groups and average daily weight increase were

investigated.

Statistical Analyses Data was managed using Excel and analyzed using SPSS™ 17.0 (SPSS Inc, Chicago IL, USA). The

distribution of the weight gain data was verified with Shapiro-Wilk test. The distribution normality

established, average weight increases were compared using Student T test for the paired samples.

Statistical significance was accepted when p< 0.05.

Results & discussions Atmospheric ammonia levels in maternity pens treated with SOP C COW were lower than those in

control pens. Likewise, the TCC and E. coli bacteria were lower in the bio-hygienized maternity,

individual and communal pens, although these differences were not statistically significant. No

calves died in either group. The calves born in bio-hygienized maternity pens and housed in bio-

hygienized individual/communal pens had significantly higher average daily weight increases than

control calves. Calves in treated pens had an average daily weight increase of 1.79 lbs (812 g)

head/day compared to control pens with 1.66 lbs (712 g) head/day, a difference of 0.13 lbs (100 g)

head/day (p

21


The annual monitoring of the SCC on a commercial Italian farm treated with SOP C COW

Andrea Zanierato1, Mauro Casalone

2, Paola Luparia

1, Valerio Bronzo

3 e Paolo Moroni

3,4

1: SOP s.r.l. Busto Arsizio (VA), Italy

2: Free-lance veterinary, Torino, Italy

3: Università degli Studi di Milano, Dipartimento di Patologia Animale, Igiene e Sanità Pubblica Veterinaria, Italy

4: Dept. of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Quality Milk yield Production Services, Cornell University,

Ithaca NY, USA.

Presented at the NMC 50th Annual Meeting (Arlington, Virginia, USA) 2011

The productive life of the dairy cow is characterised by especially critical periods regarding the

maintenance of productive performance and state of health. In particular, the transition period

brings about important changes in the physiology of the cow which may mean exposure to various

pathogenic agents; almost a third of all dairy cows are affected by metabolic or infective

pathologies in this stage of their productive life (LeBlanc, 2010). Environmental bacteria represent

one of the greatest risks of udder infection during the calving period (Pyörälä, 2008). For this

reason, it is necessary to keep the group of animals in transition in areas of the farm where measures

have been taken to contain and reduce the number of environmental pathogenic bacteria which are

the principal cause of mastitis and, consequently, of an increase in the SCC.

Materials and methods

On a dairy farm near Turin, northern Italy, with 395 lactating cows, a commercial product (SOP® C

COW) for the bio-hygienization of the bedding was used in the pregnant heifer, dry cow, calving

and fresh cow areas. The farm involved in the study was chosen because it had always had

problems of somatic cells in the calving animals, due to the particular conditions of the bedding in

the dry area, where the pregnant heifers were also housed in the last few months before calving. The

animals were kept on long wheat straw bedding (area available for each animal, about 6m2) treated

twice a week with 10g/head of product distributed using a hand duster. The bedding was refreshed

twice a week and cleaned out every 60 days. The monitoring of the somatic cells in the primiparous

animals in the area treated with SOP® C COW, compared to the control primiparous animals kept in

untreated areas, was carried out by the collection of values during the first DHI monthly controls

after calving, during the period from December 2009 to July 2010. The data was gathered on

computer and elaborated using PASW™ 18.0 (SPSS Inc, Chicago IL, USA). Having verified the

lack of normal data distribution, using the Shapiro-Wilk test, the average values of the somatic cells

in the various experimental groups (periods) were compared using the non parametric U test of

Mann-Whitney. The statistical significance was accepted as p

22


Results and discussions

Table 1 – Somatic cell content in primiparous milk after calving

Group SCC/ml LS/ml

Control Mean 711,423 4.17

DS 997,496 2.49

ES 195,625 0.49

Treated Mean 336,182* 2.84

*

DS 1,084,.095 2.18

ES 57,865 0.12 * p

23


SOP treatment of separate manure solids reduced Klebsiella bacteria counts

H. Lynn Sharkey1, A. Zanierato

2, P. Luparia

2, M. Poggianella

2, P. Moroni

1, Y. H. Schukken

1

1Quality Milk Production Services, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA,

2S.O.P. Srl, Busto Arsizio (VA), Italy


th Annual Meeting (Arlington, Virginia, USA) 2011

The use of recycled manure solids is becoming more common around the world, due in part to the

increasing amounts of manure to dispose of and the increase in cost to import other forms of

bedding on to the farm. In adding of chemical substances or by-products during the storage period,

dry matter increases and the pH changes, allowing or contrasting proliferation of specific bacterial

genera like streptococci/ enterococci, coliform bacteria and Klebsiella spp.

In this study we assessed the effects of bacterial populations (streptococci and Klebsiella) in

recycled manure solids piles and compare bacteria counts in two piles of manure solids resourced

from a Bauer-Fan Bedding Recovery Unit, one of which has been treated with SOP C COW and the

other that acted as an untreated control.


On a New York farm, two heaps of a volume of approximately 3 m3, each made up of material

which has come out of the recycled manure separator Bauer-Fan Bedding Recovery Unit

(FAN/Bower Germany and Austria) within the previous 24 hours. It was necessary to mix the

material before forming the heaps so to have a uniform product distribution. The heaps were

sheltered from weather and positioned at least 5 meters distant from on another. The treatment of

each heap was carried out by distributing SOP C COW, at a dosage of 40 g/m3 (120 g per heap).

The 120 grams of SOP C COW were premixed with manure solids using a bucket with

approximately 10 kg of the recycled separated manure solids. These 10 kg of premix was then

thoroughly mixed through the treatment pile of manure solids. Sampling consisted of aseptically

taking samples each day from day 0 just before treatment and then on day 1, 2 and 3 and then once

on day 7. 5 samples were taken each day at the 20-30 centimetres depth, 5 samples at 40 to 60

centimetres depth and other 5 samples at 60-100 centimetres depth. Samples were individually

packaged, Placed in there own coolers treatment cooler and a control cooler transported to

laboratory for testing. Bacterial culture was performed on streptococci and Klebsiella at the Quality

Milk Production Services Laboratory in Geneseo New York.

Statistical Analysis

Statistical analysis was performed on the data using log-transformed colony forming units (CFUs).

All data was evaluated for outliers and unlikely values. Subsequent analyses performed using linear

mixed models where the logarithm of the CFUs for the different bacterial species. The general

format of the model was: Ln(CFU) = baselnbact day trt depth + error. Where baselnbact is the

Ln(CFU) just before application of the treatment on day 0, day is the day of measurement (1,2,3 and

7), trt is treatment (SOP C COW) versus control and depth is the depth of measurement. The

analysis was corrected for repeated measurements of the same heap, depth and treatment. Least

square means were calculated for each treatment and each measurement day.

24



The results analysis of the SOP C COW data on bacterial growth in manure solids show an

important difference in the growth and killing of Klebsiella bacteria. The pile of manure solids

treated with SOP C COW showed a significantly lower bacteria count compared to the control pile.

No differences were observed in streptococcal bacteria.

Figure 1. Klebsiella Least Square Means of log CFU

Predicted by the final regression model

Data suggests interesting hints for further investigations on Klebsiella bacteria in order to look into

the use of treated separated manure solids in the field.

Comments after publication: the graph above shows a reduction of the Klebsiella CFU that is, on

average, more than 90%, with values of 99.9% on the 2nd

day of treatment.

References

1. Endres, M.I. 2008. Overview of trends in use of manure solids and compost bedded packs.

Proceeding of NMC 47th Annual Meeting pp. 136-142.

2. Gooch, C.A., J.H. Hogan, N. Glazier, R. Noble. 2006. Use of post-digested separated manure

solids as freestall bedding: a case study. Proceedings of NMC 45th Annual Meeting pp. 151-

160

3. Hogan, J.S., S.L. Wolf, C.S. Petersson-Wolfe. 2007. Bacterial counts in organic materials

used as free-stall bedding following treatment with a commercial conditioner. J. Dairy Sci.

90:1058-1062.

4. Kristula, M.A., W. Rogers, J.S. Hogan, M. Sabo. 2005. Comparison of bacteria populations

in clean and recycled sand used for bedding in dairy facilities. J. Dairy Sci. 88:4317-4325.

5. Munoz, M.A., C. Ahlström, B.J. Rauch, R.N. Zadoks. 2006. Fecal shedding of Klebsiella

pneumoniae by dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci. 89:3425-3430.

6. Smith, K.L., J.S. Hogan. 2006. Bedding counts in manure solids. NMC Annual Meeting

Proceedings.

-2

0

2

4

6

8

10

1 2 3 7

Ln

cfu

Kle

bsie

lla

Day of sampling

Treatment

Control

25


Investigation on a bio-hygienizing additive for oral use in dairy cows: effect on milk somatic cell count

Paola Luparia1, Marco Poggianella

1 and Valerio Bronzo

2

1SOP s.r.l., Busto Arsizio (VA), Italy

2Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, Università degli Studi di Milano (MI), Italy.

Presented at the ADSA - AMPA - ASAS - CSAS - WSASAS Joint Annual Meeting (Phoenix, Arizona, USA) 2012

The aim of the present study was to assess the efficacy of a technological feeding additive, put into

the mixing wagon, on the somatic cell count in milk from a commercial farm situated in Northern

Italy, housing 140 lactating cows on straw which were bedding packs renewed every 60-90 days.

The commercial bio-hygienizing product (SOP® GOLD COW), based on an inert material (verxite)

treated with the frequential blend SQC 233, was monitored from April 2011 until September 2011,

a period chosen for its critical somatic cell levels due to the seasonal increase in temperature. The

most striking characteristic of this product is that it can be mixed directly with the feed in the mixer

wagon, at a dosage of 2g /head (0.07 oz), once a day. The data gathered, resulted from official DHI

controls (Dairy Herd Improvement test date) carried out, cow by cow, on a monthly basis and

regarded the SCC level, fat %, protein % and average daily milk production. The data was

elaborated using the statistical software SPSS 19.0 (IBM, SPSS, New York, U.S.A.) and compared

the average SCC values with the Linear Score (LS) via analyses of the variance in the generalized

linear model. The decrease in the SCC levels in the treated animals’ milk resulted significant at

99% (p

26


Monitoring of the efficacy of SOP GOLD PIG on the reduction of the microbial load in an Italian commercial fattening piglet farm

G. Tacconi1, A. Covarelli

1, A. Zanierato*

2;

Veterinary Medicine Faculty, Department of Biopathological Science and Hygiene of Food and Animal Production,

Perugia, Italy1, SOP Srl, Busto Arsizio, Italy

2

Presented at the ADSA-CSAS-ASAS Joint Annual Meeting (Montréal, Québec, Canada) 2009

This study was conducted in order to evaluate in field, over the period 2006-2008, the efficacy of a

new technological additive SOP® GOLD PIG. This product is a natural silicate of magnesium,

aluminium and iron, modulated by the technology SIRIO OPERATING PROCESS® to control the

growth of some bacteria in pig manure. Two units on a pig farm, treated (T) and control (C), were

selected for their similarity in size, pig age and number and farm management. In the treated unit,

the product was added to the dry feed, using 80 g of SOP GOLD PIG per 1 ton of dry feed. Manure

samples were taken monthly both in the unit with pigs receiving the treated food (T) and in the unit

with pigs receiving untreated food (C), for a period of 23 months. These samples were analyzed for

the presence of the Total Aerobic Bacterial Count (TABC), Enterobacteriaceae,

Micrococcaceae and Streptococcaceae, using selective media. The results (Table 1) show

significant reductions in the manure of the TABC (-73.1%; P

27


Evaluation of the efficacy of a litter additive in the control of the ammonia level in broiler houses: preliminary results

G. Tacconi1, P. Casagrande Proietti

1, R. Arcaro

1, R. Galli

2

1Department of Veterinary Pathology, and Hygiene Section, University of Perugia, Italy

2Professor of Poultry Pathologies, University of Camerino, Italy

Presented at the 42nd

SIPA Meeting, (Forlì, FC, Italy) 2003

Introduction

The intensification of poultry production, thanks to the development of animal husbandry

engineering and systems, has made use of all the instruments indispensable for the realisation of

large high tech poultry farms. However, in farm practise, there is often an exasperation of the

micro-environment owing to a reduction in the air quality due to a high level of gas and micro-

organisms (2, 6). In this way, high risk situations are created both in the shed, for the birds and the

personnel exposed to the contamination (10), and in the outside environment due to the consequent

gas emissions (2, 9). The most common gas present is ammonia, which naturally forms inside the

poultry shed, and is the most difficult to keep under control. The use of various methods for

reducing the production of ammonia on poultry farms and especially additives for litter treatment,

such as monobasic calcium phosphate (7), phosphoric acid (7 3), propionic acid (5), ferro sulphate

(1, 3), which act by reducing the pH of the litter, with a consequent reduction of the microbial and

enzymatic activity, have already been considered for a long time.

The recent release onto the market of an innovative product capable of improving the sanitary

conditions of the litter and the lack of bibliographical documentation on its efficacy has provided

subject matter for this study, which has been proposed in order to supply preliminary data on the

treatment of poultry litter with this product and its efficacy on reducing the ammonia concentrations

in the farm environment.

Methods and materials

A trial, begun in February 2002, was carried out at an Umbrian Farm breeding a hybrid line

specialised in the production of broilers.

The breeding programme consisted in 4 cycles each year, using an “all full all empty” system with a

sanitary break of 7-10 days. The breeding system used is on the floor with litter, at a density of 16

birds/m2, for a total of 47,000 birds per cycle. The trial regarded two sheds, C2 (with treated litter)

and C1 (with untreated litter, as a control). The tunnel sheds with Vasistas windows, have forced

ventilation systems and “Pad Cooling” systems.

Treatment of the litter was carried out by distributing SOP®

C POULTRY over the chopped straw

bedding (5-7 cm thick) the day before the chicks arrived and this was subsequently repeated every

two weeks; in the first month the dosage used was 2 g of product for every m2 , whilst subsequently

this was reduced to 1 g of product for every m2.

To ease the homogenous distribution over the whole surface of the litter, the product was mixed

with calcium carbonate in the quantity of 1 g of product for every 25 g of calcium carbonate, 24

hours before distribution over the litter.

SOP C POULTRY is made up of calcium sulphate (gypsum) and Essential oils (citronella and

lavender), used in an untraditional way as a “carrier”. Using the SIRIO OPERATING PROCESS®,

this mixture is activated via an energetic modulation and enriched with oxygen and other selected

substances.

28


Ammonia readings

The shed was “virtually” divided into two parts and in each of these, three equidistant points were

individualised (on the right, in the middle and on the left) over the surface of the litter. In these

points, at ground level and 1 m from ground level, ammonia readings were taken using a Drager

(Safety, Inc.-Pittsburgh, PA - USA).

For each breeding cycle, two readings were taken, one during the first 7 days and the other at the

end of the cycle.

Evaluation of the results

The average ammonia values found in the two sheds (treated with SOP C POULTRY and control)

were compared applying the “Student’s t” rule.

Results

Readings were taken from a total of 6 breeding cycles. The data concerning the average ammonia

values per point are shown in Table 1, and from the examination of this table it can be seen that:

1) the ammonia values found in the treated shed, both on the litter level and 1m above, are always lower than those found in the control shed:

2) on comparing the average values of both the sheds, there is a highly significant difference (P= 0.000003735);

3) on examining the values taken during the first few days of the cycle in particular, the difference between the sheds is slighter during the first week of the chicks lives, whilst it

becomes more evident towards the end of the cycle. A similar phenomenon is also found

between the first two cycles and the subsequent ones.

Discussions

The results obtained during the trial have supplied data which leads to various considerations.

First of all, it must be highlighted that the difference between the average ammonia values found in

the treated shed and those found in the control shed, results highly significant. Such values assume

an even greater significance if the position of the control shed is considered, compared to that of the

treated one, as it is situated externally and therefore it is more exposed to wind. More particularly,

this difference, found during each cycle examined, progressively increased, both during the cycle,

and between one cycle and the next.

It must be highlighted, however, that even if the density of the birds bred was above the norm, in

the untreated shed the average level of ammonia reached quite high values (40 and 41 ppm), even if

these are not comparable to those sometimes mentioned in the bibliography (190 and 337 ppm) (6).

It can be said that, on the whole, the use of SOP C POULTRY had a better controlling action of the

ammonia in the treated shed with respect to the control, and, at the same time, this action increased

over time.

A very recent work by Malone (4) lists, on the bases of the activity carried out by possible products

for such an aim, 4 types of litter treatment with their respective characteristics, and whilst

highlighting how complex the choice of a litter treatment which suits all types of farm is,

emphasises the importance of adopting a programme which uses a litter additive combined with the

management aspect of the farm.

In accordance with the Author (4), it can thus be sustained that such an additive, combined with a

rational ventilation system, can keep the level of ammonia low. Such an additive can, therefore, be

considered among the Best techniques available – according to the EC Directive 96/61.

Such data, being, at the moment, the only available, can not be compared to any other information

and, if it is to be considered in line with the data supplied by the Producing Company, obtained

from research carried out at private laboratories, further confirmation in the field will be required.

29


Table 1. Trial for the efficacy of SOP C POULTRY: mean values (per point) of NH3 found in the

treated and control sheds

Cycles Age SHED TREATED WITH SOP C POULTRY CONTROL SHED

Values on the

ground (ppm)

Values at 1m

above ground

(ppm)

Mean value

(ppm)

Values on

the ground

(ppm)

Values at 1m

above ground

(ppm)

Mean value

(ppm)

P1 P2 P1 P2 P1 P2 P1 P2 P1 P2 P1 P2

1st cycle Chicks 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 8 8 6.5 6.5

Adults 5 5 6 6 5.5 5.5 14 14 15 15 14.5 14.5

2nd

cycle Chicks 5 5 6 6 5.5 5.5 14 14 12 12 13 13

Adults 6 6 12 12 9 9 31 31 26 26 28.5 28.5

3rd

cycle Chicks 3 3 3 3 3 3 5 5 5 5 5 5

Adults 9 15 8 11 8.5 13 41 31 28 26 34.5 28.5

4th

cycle Chicks 7 0 0 -2 3.5 -1 0 10 0 9 0 9.5

Adults -2 0 0 0 -1 0 15 15 9 9 12 12

5th

cycle Chicks -3 -3 -1 -3 -2 -2 5 11 5 5 5 8

Adults 15 10 11 6 13 8 40 31 38 24 39 27.5

6th

cycle Chicks 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Adults 11 8 3 3 6.5 5.5 17 35 11 21 14 28

References

1. Huff W.E., Malone G.w., & Chaloupka G.W. (1984). Effect of litter treatment on broiler

performance and certain litter quality parameters. Poultry Sci., 63:21672171

2. Kristensen H.H., & Whates C.M. (2000). Ammonia and poultry Welfare. World's Poultry

Science Journal, 56,235245

3. Malone B. (1987). Chemical litter treatments to control ammonia. Proceedings of the 22nd

Meeting on Poultry Health Condemnations, Ocean City, MO

4. Malone B. (2003). Il trattamento delle lettiere avicole: come creare un giusto equilibrio tra

produzione e management. Zootecnica International, 4,32-35

5. Parkhurst C. R., Hamilton P.B. and Baughman G.R. (1974). The use of volatile fatty acids for the

control of Micro-organisms in pine sa'MJst litter. Poultry Sci., 53:801806

6. Quaglio G., Franchini F., Quaglio F. (1988). Ambiente e produzioni zootecniche. Le tecnopatie,

malattie polifattoriali condizionate nell'avicoltura intensiva. Rivista di Avicoltura,2:19-28

7. Reece F.N., Bates B.J., and Lott B.O. (1979). Ammonia Control in Broiler Houses. Poultry

Science, 58:754-755

8. Sainsbury O. (1992). Poultry Health and Management Chickens, Turkeys, Ducks, Geese, Quail,

3nl ed., Blackwell Scientific Ud, Oxford, UK

9. Valli L (2001). Le emissioni di odori dagli allevamenti zootecnici. L'Informatore Agrario, 46:35-

39

10. Whyte R.T. (1993). Aerial pollutants and the health of poultry farmers. World's Poultry Science

Journal, 49, 139156

30


Hygiene on the poultry farm: microbiological monitoring of the environment after treatment with an innovative bio-hygienizer*

R. Ventura, G. Tacconi

University of Perugia, Italy

*Translation of the original text: “Igiene nell’allevamento di polli: monitoraggio microbiologico dell’ambiente dopo il trattamento con un bio-igienizzante innovativo”

Monitoring of the efficacy of SOP

C POULTRY makes an improvement in environmental

conditions via:

difference in CMT aerobes, Staphylococcus spp, Coliforms concentrations present in the litter and in the air of the treated barn and the control;

difference in the ammonia concentrations between the treated barn and the control;

difference in the total mortality rate.

Methods and materials

The experiment was carried out on an Umbrian hybrid Farm, which specialises in the production of

broiler chickens. The farming programme consists of 4 cycles a year, using the “all-full/all-empty”

system and a sanitary gap of 7-10 days. Experimentation regarded house C2 (house treated with

SOP

C POULTRY) and C3 (untreated, control house). Environmental controls: The investigation

consisted of evaluating various characteristics of the air and litter of the two houses. In particular,

two on-the-spot investigations were planned for each farming cycle, the first carried out within the

first week and the second within the sixth week, during which samples of air and litter were taken,

for microbiological and chemical testing; during the on-the-spot investigations, the ammonia

present in the environment was measured.

Results

The mean values per point of ammonia; from the examination of the data it emerges that: the

ammonia values taken from the treated house (0,98 ppm), were always lower than those taken from

the control house (9,55 ppm), comparing the mean values of each house shows a reduction = 89,7

% (P = 0.00106). In table 2 are the mean values of the same microbiological parameters taken from

the litter. From the examination of the data it emerges that: the mean value, for each

microbiological parameter taken in the treated house, except in some cases, was inferior to that

taken from the control house; comparing the average values has shown the following differences:

P = 0.0801 CMT, P = 0.092375 Staphylococcus spp, P = 0.054067 Coliforms.

Table n° 2

Parameters

Type of

bedding

UFC/m3

CMT

Treated

(104)

CMT

Control

(104)

Staph.

Treated

(104)

Staph.

Control

(104)

Coliforms

Treated

(102)

Coliforms

Control

(102)

1° C start 41,75 57,71 22,55 45,9 6,13 20,83

1° C end 34,07 38,8 4,96 6,58 0,25 2,5

2° C start 11,59 18,18 7,96 8,95 21,43 24,74

2° C end 33,44 164,1 17,32 16,05 2 6,08

3° C start 14,59 40 12,3 6,9 1,41 0,75

3° C end 20,75 23,3 6,5 6,08 2,89 5,75

4° C start 12,5 13,5 6,5 6,9 6,58 0,37

31


4° C end 12,86 16 5,14 7,15 4,85 3,06

5° C start 13,23 18,5 3,78 7,41 3,12 5,75

5° C end 12,31 17,92 8,7 13,5 1,74 3,18

6° C start 15,11 12,46 8,89 7,01 0,37 0,62

6° C end 53,28 534,45 33,06 94,92 0,62 2,37

7° C start 19,77 29,36 16,15 22,4 2,5 0,5

7° C end 38,81 17,28 17,02 19,92 9,87 11,62

8° C start 26,3 49,35 17,9 33,6 17,25 22,75

8° C end 23,9 53 22,6 38 3,5 1,5

9° C start 23,4 28,7 13,55 45,5 0,5 10,75

9° C end 7,22 8,7 3,65 7,42 1,5 15,37

10°C start 55,1 52,1 34,2 20 2 20

10° C end 11 26,25 17,9 25 2,5 25

From the data shown in table 3, it emerges that the mortality rate has always resulted lower in the

treated house (4,9%) than in the control (6,5%), with a resulting difference of P = 0.00106.

Table n° 3

Parameters

Type of bedding

Mortality rate (%)

Treated

Mortality rate

(%) Control

1° Cycle 4.2 6.7

2° Cycle 10.28 12.01

3° Cycle 5 9

4° Cycle 4.3 4.7

5° Cycle 3.1 4.3

6° Cycle 8.4 10.8

7° Cycle 3.4 5.7

8° Cycle 3.1 3.4

9° Cycle 3.3 5.1

10° Cycle 3.9 4.5

Average 4.9 6.5

Considerations and conclusions

The results obtained during the course of our investigation are very interesting and lead to some

considerations.

The first derives from examining the data regarding the parameters observed in the control poultry

house, which confirms the general situation previously described by the Authors. The great

variability of the mean ammonia value and the microbiological parameters are surely an indication

of the establishment of conditions just as variable, which alternate temporarily between

unfavourable, for the animals and for the operators on reaching higher limits, and favourable when

the lower limits of the said interval are reached. This alternation of conditions is anyway to be

considered as an element of disturbance for the animals and consequently of their well being.

The second consideration regards the data concerning the same parameters observed in the poultry

house with treated litter, resulting lower than those of the control, with only a few exceptions. In

this case, the interval, within which the mean values of each parameter vary, is lower and being, in

the case of the ammonia, almost half the maximum value (with respect to the control) and under the

limits recommended by the sector’s experts (25 ppm), the microclimatic conditions of the house

with the treated litter may be considered more stable and suitable for the wellbeing desired for the

animals.

32


The differences between the treated poultry house and the control, regarding the mean values of the

evaluated parameters, show a statistical significance which indicates a certain efficacy of the

product. Added to the fact that, being a field test, where there are many variables which can get out

of control, it is more difficult to see the maximum potential of the product.

The data regarding the mortality rate merits consideration for the highly significant differences

taken from the two houses. Such data is in accordance with the results of the above mentioned

studies, according to which animals living in a healthier environment, where the risk of being put

under different types of stress is reduced, are less susceptible to contract infections and can

maximise their productive performance.

The results, furthermore, emphasise the importance of the care of the farm environment as a whole,

in order to guarantee the animals a healthier environment and the consumer higher quality and

healthier alimentary products.

The product is easy to use, with a low or nonexistent impact on the environment making such

objectives easy to reach, without complicating the economic and managerial burden.

33


Evaluation of the efficacy of a bio-hygienization additive in ammonia level control in broiler houses

G. Tacconi1, A. Zanierato

2, A. Covarelli

1

1University of Perugia, Italy


Presented at the ADSA-CSAS-ASAS Joint Annual Meeting (San Antonio, Texas, USA) 2007

This field study investigates the efficacy of a new bio-hygienic bedding additive (SOP C

POULTRY) in ammonia control in broiler houses.

Bedding is considered one of the major sources of pollutants; in particular, ammonia often reaches

high levels causing limited poultry performance and environmental pollution; the need to manage

this using additives, has been considered for the last few years but has not resolved the situation

conclusively.

This study was carried out during 2003-2006 in an Italian commercial poultry farm.

Two large broiler houses, control (C) and treated (T), were selected for their similarity in size,

density, ventilation system, drinking and eating equipment.

The buildings had a conventional layout and housed about 8,200-8,600 1 day old broiler chicks each

cycle, to 7-8 weeks.

Bedding consisted of 5-7cm deep wheat straw, regularly changed at the end of each cycle, and

treated (T) covering the surface with the additive at a dosage of 2g of additive plus 25g of calcium

carbonate (to enable even distribution) per m2, the day before the chicks’ housing and repeated twice

a month during the 1st month; after, 1g of additive plus 25g of calcium carbonate per m2 twice a

month, until the end of each cycle. Ammonia concentrations were assessed in each house using

Draeger PAC-III (PA-USA) in the 1st and 7th weeks, in six different points.

The ammonia mean values of the ten cycles were, in house C and T respectively, in the 1st week

3.90 ± 3.05 ppm and 3.26 ± 3.91 ppm, and in the 7th

week 19.07 ± 12.41 and 7.12 ± 4.39.

The difference between the mean values was low (P=0.09) in the 1st week, but resulted in a 17.00%

reduction; the reduction in the 7th week was significant (P=0.002) - 62.9%.

The control of ammonia levels in commercial poultry houses is essential in order to: improve the air

quality in the housed environment; improve health, performance and welfare of both animals and

human attendants; reduce significantly the environmental ammonia emissions.

34


Case study: improvement of recovery and hydration status in endurance horses by oral administration of a new feed additive:

SOP EQUWHITE

Centinaio A.1, Nery J.

2, Accorinti I.

3, Zanierato A.

3 and Bergero D.

2

1Clinica Veterinaria della Brughiera, Varese, Italy,

2University of Turin, Italy,

3SOP S.r.l., Varese, Italy.

Presented at the ESVCN Congress (Oristano, Sardinia, Italy) 2009

Introduction: SOP® EQUWHITE, expanded vermiculite treated with Sirio Operating Process

®

technology, is thought to influence microbial ecology in the hindgut of horses. Endurance horses are

subject of intense aerobic effort during training and competition, leading to stress and stress-

induced immunodepression, and intensive sweat losses. The objective of the present study was to

obtain preliminary results on the effects of supplementation of treated expanded vermiculite by

assessing blood cell count, enzymatic activity and electrolyte concentrations in normal and

immunodeficient horses.

Materials and methods: Four horses, including 2 immunodeficient animals, were treated with SOP

EQUWHITE diet supplementation for one month (7 g/d). The control group consisted of one

immunodeficient endurance horse to which the treatment was not administered. Blood analysis of

CBC count and enzymatic activity, as well as electrolyte blood concentrations (phosphorus,

potassium, and sodium) were analyzed before and after treatment. Mean and standard deviations,

and percentage variation before and after treatment were calculated for each variable.

Results: Results are presented in table 1. White blood cells (WBC) count increased 57.7 ± 15.6%

with treatment. During the same period the study control horse presented a slight decrease (-16.7%)

of WBC count. Phosphorus (+22.4 ± 20.9%), potassium (+18.3 ± 4.6%) and sodium (+2.0 ± 1.6%)

blood concentrations increased following treatment in immunodeficient horses.

Table 1. White blood cells (cells/µL) and blood electrolytes concentration in normal and

immunodeficient horses before and after treatment with SOP EQUWHITE.

WBC P K Na

N 4 2 2 2

Before 5160 ± 283 2.9 ± 0.1 3.6 ± 0.5 127.5 ± 3.5

After SOP EQUWHITE

7450 ± 552 3.6 ± 0.8 4.2 ± 0.4 130.0 ± 5.7

Control – Before 4800 - - -

Control - After 4000 - - -

Discussion and conclusions: Oral administration of SOP EQUWHITE led to an improvement of

WBC count in both normal and in horses with low immune defenses. Moreover improvement of

electrolyte blood concentrations in immune-depressed horses could suggest an improvement of their

hydration status. Further studies on the effects of the product would be necessary, considering the

small number of animals included in this study.

35


Preliminary results on a new feed supplement for horse performance: SOP GO HORSE on recovery, muscular metabolism

and hydration

Nery J.1, Centinaio A.

2, , Luparia P.

3, Zanierato A.

3, Valle E.

4, De Innocenti P.

4, Tosto F.

5,

Assenza A.5, Bergero D.

4*

1Dip. Produzioni Animali, Epidemiologia ed Ecologia, Facoltà di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli studi di

Torino, Grugliasco (Torino); 2Clinica Veterinaria della Brughiera, Varese, Italy;

3SOP S.r.l., Varese, Italy;

4Fondazione Centro Internazionale del Cavallo, Cascina Rubbianetta Parco Regionale La Mandria, Druento (Torino),

Italy; 5Dipartimento di Scienze Sperimentali e Biotecnologie Applicate, Facoltà di Medicina Veterinaria, Università

degli studi di Messina.

Presented at the11

th Congress of New findings in Equine practice

(International Horse Centre, La Venaria Reale, Turin, Italy) 2009

Abstract: The aim of this work was to assess the effect of supplementation with an inert material

treated with the physics based technology SIRIO OPERATING PROCESS® on the haematological

parameters and on amino acid and electrolyte profiles in horses trained at an effort request of

medium intensity.

Eight horses were divided into 2 homogenous groups. The study design will comprised of 2 phases

during which horses of group 1 were treated with SOP GO HORSE for 60 days while the animals

from group 2 made up the control group. During phase II, the groups were inverted. Results

reported in this expanded abstract include the observed variations of the assessed parameters during

the first half of phase I. The blood cell count, haematochemical parameters and the electrolyte

profile were analysed. Haematic samples were obtained before the study began (baseline T0), after

40 days of treatment, for the blood cell count and, after 30 days, for the haematochemical and

electrolyte profiles. Statistical analyses were performed using repeated measures ANOVA or

nonparametric Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney’s tests. Differences were found regarding leukocytes,

monocytes, LDH plasmatic concentration, albumin, γ-globulin and plasmatic concentrations of

potassium, chloride and calcium. Treating horses with SOP GO HORSE could have beneficial

effects on haematic and haematochemical parameters both concerning hydration and muscle

metabolism.

Introduction

There have recently been a number of studies concerning the sensitivity of micro-organisms to ELF

(extremely low frequency; between 1000 and 1500 Hz) electromagnetic fields (Cellini et al. 2008,

del Re et al. 2004) with the objective, among others, of defining alterations, on a cellular level, of

the gene expression and the increased protein synthesis linked to cellular stress. In this way,

Belyaev & Alipov (2001) have highlighted how each species is sensitive to a specific “frequential

window”.

In horses which undergo aerobic exercise, such as endurance horses, the importance of the

regulation of the fermentation occurring in the cecum not only affects the recuperation of energy,

but also the increased absorption of water and electrolytes, which mainly occurs in the cecum -

colon (Frape 1994), through the regulation of the luminal and cytosolic pH, the co-transportation of

butyrate and chloride and the parallel transportation of NaCl (Kunzelmann & Mall, 2002). In the

broadest sense, the positive selection of the bacterial populations responsible for the fermentation of

undigested carbohydrates, at the expense of the pathogenic populations (eg. Salmonella, Clostridia,

36


coliforms), could be connected to the improved health of the colon environment. More specifically,

the modulation of the fermentation in the cecum (glucidic and cellulosic fermentation detriment to

the bacterial proteolysis) is associated with an increase in the production of volatile fatty acids

(AGV). The increase in the production of the AGV would favour the recuperation of fluids and

electrolytes, essential for long-lasting, moderately intense, competitive activity. It is thus

hypothesised, that the use of the integrator SOP GO HORSE (an inert material which has undergone

physical treatment with the SIRIO OPERATING PROCESS®) in the equine diet could have a

selective effect on the intestinal flora and, as a consequence, have beneficial effects on the state of

hydration and muscular metabolism in horses undergoing moderate training.


Eight healthy horses were divided into 2 groups of 4 animals each: group 1 was made up of 1

stallion, 1

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