Animal Science Professional Masters Projects

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https://hdl.handle.net/1813/55167

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Creation & Preference-Based Testing of Sustainable Crustacean Bait Alternatives For New England Region Fisheries
Willey, Liam Jeremiah (2024)
The need for sustainable fisheries bait is a longing issue that has finally surfaced in New England Fisheries. With the focus of trying to avoid increased pressure on wild fish populations in the Gulf of Maine, alternative practices have been used to subsidize the change in bait availability and price increase. Understanding how to efficiently create and utilize sustainable solutions for this recurring and ongoing problem will help strengthen the opportunities for fishermen and lobstermen, as well as benefit the lasting populations of herring and menhaden. Baitcakes and the formula to make them, will help the industry evolve with the loss of available usual bait and continue to fulfill landings and quotas required for their economic survival. Using the primary binder pectin, along with silage from repurposed fish material, and digestive enzymes found in their stomachs, cooked bait cakes can be a durable solution able to withstand ocean conditions during the soak and deteriorate at a reasonable rate with select permeability. These baits were created and tested on Large crayfish in a controlled environment to represent and replicate possible preferences of the crustaceans in comparison to the standard bait used commercially. There are many more avenues to explore when directing attention to this project and the impact it may have on New England lobster fisheries futurely.
Results of a Retrospective Study on Canine Transmissible Venereal Tumors in Grenadian Pothounds
Cavanaugh, Lisa (2024)
Canine Transmissible Venereal Tumors (CTVT) is a highly contagious, endemic disease among canines that infects dogs worldwide. Unfortunately, very few individuals are familiar with the disease, as it is most prevalent in lower income communities, along with third-world nations. There is currently no vaccination for the control and prevention of CTVT. Therefore, avoiding disease and future disease regression [NT1]is inevitable.
Enhancing Consumer Knowledge of Animal Products and Grains in Cat and Dog Foods
Soeter, Lily (2024-08)
Pet owners are growing increasingly interested in understanding the ingredients in cat and dog food to make informed decisions about their pets' nutrition. To support this interest, the Cornell Animal Science website will provide information beyond what is covered in this article, utilizing well-researched and credible sources. The project aims to educate pet owners, helping them confidently navigate the evolving landscape of pet food ingredient options. Chapter 1 examines the use of animal products in pet food, beginning with clarifying the origins of animals used in foods and addressing the sustainability and nutritional safety of animal byproducts. Definitions of raw and rendered animal products according to AAFCO guidelines are provided, including a distinction between raw ingredients and raw products. This chapter also includes examples of raw and rendered animal products and byproducts as they appear in real ingredient lists and offers a nutrient comparison to further illustrate their benefits in pet food. Chapter 2 explores the factors driving the increasing popularity of grain-free diets. It clarifies the primary allergens commonly found in cats and dogs, categorizes the carbohydrate sources in pet foods, and offers examples of grain-free and grain-inclusive labels. This chapter also discusses the functional benefits of cereal and pulse grains, and tuber vegetables. In a rapidly evolving pet food market, where the misconception of animal byproducts and grain-free diets are increasingly shaping consumer choices, this project serves as a resource for pet owners to make well-informed decisions by bridging the understanding of ingredient sources and their roles in pet food.
The Impact of Education on Students' Understanding of the Pet Food Industry
Ali, Asmaa (2024-08)
Numerous misconceptions circulate within the pet food industry, with a notable lack of scholarly literature supporting them. These misconceptions significantly impact consumer decisions regarding pet nutrition. With the rise of social media and increased reliance on online sources, misinformation has become more widespread, frequently presenting biased perspectives on specific feeding practices. While the Internet can offer valuable insights into pets' nutritional needs, the quality of information is highly variable, making it challenging for consumers to discern accurate from misleading content. To address this issue, I designed and facilitated a senior animal science course at Cornell University (ANSC 4290/6290) in the Spring 2024 semester, aimed at educating students on common misconceptions within the pet food industry. The course covered topics such as pet food safety, the role of the rendering industry in pet nutrition, and the feasibility of vegan diets for dogs. This study assesses the impact of the course on students' perceptions through pre- and post-lecture surveys, focusing on topics where misunderstandings frequently arise. Results suggest that the course effectively improved students' understanding of complex issues in pet nutrition, highlighting the importance of targeted education in mitigating misinformation. As studies examining consumer perceptions of the pet food industry are limited, it is challenging to quantify the extent of misinformation and its impact on consumers. Therefore, this research not only contributes to enhancing public education but also helps quantify the level of misinformation present in the industry.
Preparing for a Career in Academia: Experience With Research and Teaching
Acor, Noel (2024-08)
My objectives for this capstone project were to gain more experience in research and teaching to prepare for a career in academia. The outcomes include 1) completion of a research project and draft manuscript, and 2) development and instruction of a college-level course. I studied the reproductive cycles of African giant pouched rats and showed that there is high variability in the cycle length among females, and that females can be categorized into three groups based on their cycles. Interestingly, progesterone was significantly different among groups.
The Development of a Biosecurity Resource for Horse Farms in New York State
Robinson, Will (2024)
Hemp Seed Meal as an Alternative Protein Source in Growing Pigs Diet: a Pilot Study
Zhang, Yuxin (2024)
The overall goal of this pilot project was to assess the nutritional adequacy of hemp seed meal (HSM) for growing pigs. The objectives were to test the hypotheses that 1) voluntary feed intake in growing pigs fed diets containing 10 and 15% HSM will not differ compared to growing pigs fed diets containing soybean bean (SBM) as the main protein feed ingredient and 2) whole tract crude protein (CP) digestibility of a diet containing 10% HSM fed to growing pigs will not differ compared to pigs fed a diet containing SBM as the main protein feed ingredient. In the first study, six 54-kg barrows (Yorkshire × Landrace) were allocated to a repeated 3 x 3 Latin square design with 3 diets, 0% HSM (control), 10 and 15% HSM, and 3 periods. Feed intake did not differ between the HSM containing diets and control. Compared to control, ADG (1.35 kg/d) and gain:feed ratio (0.650) in pigs fed the 10% HSM diet did not differ and was greater (P < 0.05) compared to pigs fed 15% HSM (0.97 kg/d and 0.470). Compared to control, pigs fed the 15% HSM diet tended (P ≤ 0.1) to have a lower ADG and gain:feed ratio (0.470). The results show that pigs voluntarily accept diets containing HSM at an inclusion rate of 15% but have reduced growth performance compared to pigs fed diets containing 10% HSM or 0% HSM. In the second study, eight 73-kg barrows (Yorkshire × Landrace) were allocated to a randomized complete block design with 2 diets containing 0 and 10% HSM, and 2 blocks [light body weight (BW) and heavy BW]. Whole tract CP digestibility was determined using the indicator method and Cr2O3 as the inert marker. Whole tract CP digestibility between 10% HSM and control diets did not differ, with digestibility values of 75.15 and 76.21%, respectively. Additionally, initial and final BW, daily feed intake, daily gain, and gain:feed ratio did not differ between 10% HSM and control diets. The results of this studies indicate that growing pigs accept diets containing HSM up to 15% with no change in their voluntary feed intake and that HSM included at 10% does not impact whole tract CP digestibility of the diet, compared to conventional diets containing SBM as the main protein ingredient source.
Relationships of Rumination with Haptoglobin and Ketone Levels in Dairy Cattle
Dunseath, Sydney (2024)
The ability to diagnose and treat dairy cows before they are clinically sick is a crucial aspect of management within the dairy industry. With a growing focus around nutrition and the importance of rumination, there is greater improvement being made in dairy cow health. Rumination is a crucial aspect of cow health, as it can provide a lot of valuable information regarding a cow’s health and welfare status. Haptoglobin, an acute-phase protein, is a useful indicator of monitoring inflammation in cows, especially during the early postpartum period. High concentrations of haptoglobin in the blood are indicative of systemic inflammation, which can be caused by a number of diseases and disorders. Elevated circulating concentrations of ketones, most commonly measured as beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), are prevalent during the transition period in cows, as they are in a negative energy balance and mobilizing fat reserves. High BHB concentrations in the blood are indicative of greater risk for health disorders as well as decreased production and reproduction. Ketones and haptoglobin can be measured in numerous ways, but taking blood samples are a good way to test for the concentration of both in a cow’s body. In this study, blood samples were taken to analyze the concentration of Hp and BHB in 800 cows whose rumination data was collected from rumination collars. It was found that cows with relatively low Hp concentrations had higher rumination times compared to those who had higher Hp concentrations. There was no significant difference in rumination times between cows with low BHB concentrations and those with high BHB concentrations. Being able to detect diseases early is crucial for keeping cows healthy in the dairy industry, as well as beneficial for milk production and cow health. Improved rumination should be evaluated as a method of managing haptoglobin and ketone concentrations in the blood of dairy cows as a way of preventing and treating early incidences of disease.
Comparison of Two Intradermal Suture Patterns to Optimize Blood Flow in Feline Skin: A Within Animal Randomized Controlled Trial
Bayrakdarian, Sylvia (2024)
Given the propensity for wound dehiscence and decreased perfusion in the feline skin compared to other species, optimizing perfusion to the skin through surgical technique is critical. The standard continuous horizontal mattress intradermal pattern (SP) takes dermal bites close to and paralleling the wound edge, possibly limiting further perfusion, whilst the modified continuous Allgower-Donati pattern (mAD) takes dermal bites at 90 degrees to the wound edge, which may spare more capillary feeders. The study objective was to compare the effect of SP with mAD on acute changes in cutaneous perfusion in feline patients undergoing ovariohysterectomy. Feline patients were recruited from three animal shelters. Within each feline patient, the cranial half of the incision was randomized to SP or mAD, while the caudal half received the alternate pattern. Changes from baseline in cutaneous perfusion were measured for each pattern using Laser Doppler Perfusion Imaging. Analysis from thirty-two feline patients revealed significant differences. With mAD, cutaneous perfusion increased a mean of 59.7 ± 124.1 BPU from baseline, while SP showed a mean decrease of 20.2 ± 119.9 BPU (p<0.01). No feline patients re- presented for incisional complications. The findings show that a simple modification of the commonly performed intradermal pattern notably enhances cutaneous perfusion along the incision margin. Study limitations included the absence of active long-term follow-up due to the shelter setting and of perfusion measurement over a single period of time. Incorporating the modified continuous Allgower-Donati pattern into wound management protocols could be beneficial in feline patients at a high risk for wound dehiscence.
Associations between close-up dry period and postpartum health disorders for dry cows fed a negative dietary cation-anion close-up diet
Roquet Arroyo, Maria (2023)
The transition period is a vulnerable time for dairy cows since it requires enormous physiological adaptations. One of the biggest challenges cows face is an increased Ca demand at the onset of lactation. The inability of some cows to adequately regulate blood Ca concentrations leads to hypocalcemia. A common dietary strategy to prevent hypocalcemia is to decrease the dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD) of the prepartum diet. The degree and effectiveness of implementation of a DCAD diet is monitored using urine pH. Our objective was to establish if there are associations between close-up dry period herd average urine pH or urine pH coefficient of variation and postpartum health disorders. A total of 30 herds in the northeastern United States which feed a negative DCAD close-up diet to multiparous dry cows were enrolled. Urine samples from 12 to 16 multiparous close-up dry cows were collected from each farm, taken within 21 days of their expected due date. The prevalence of milk fever was associated with both average herd urine pH and urine pH coefficient of variation, such that there was an inverse relationship between average herd urine pH and urine pH coefficient of variation. The prevalence of culling within 30 and 60 days in milk was only negatively associated with average herd urine pH. These results suggest that by reducing urine pH coefficient of variation in the close-up dry cow pen, there is no need to induce extreme metabolic acidosis resulting in a very low urine pH. However, if a greater urine pH coefficient of variation is observed, a lower herd average urine pH should be targeted in order to minimize the prevalence of milk fever. These results indicate that herd average urine pH and the variation of urine pH measurements should be accounted for when considering the effectiveness of a negative DCAD diet fed to parous close-up dry cows.

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