Daily growth (DG) records and carcass sales figures of castrated Japanese Black cattle were compared with their blood component values at every growth stage. Cattle were divided into slow, average, and rapid growth groups. As to sales figures for carcass by DG, the rapid growth group attained the best results in both weight gain and price. The blood component values fluctuated significantly depending on the growth stage. The value of vitamin A in rapid growth group was significantly lower in stages 4 (22-25 months of age) and 5 (26-30 months age) compared to that in slow growth group. The level of total cholesterol and phospholipids in rapid growth group was significantly higher in stages 3 (18-21 months age) and 4 (22-25 months age) compared to slow and average growth groups. Since blood component values varied depending on DG or growth stage it was suggested that the weight gain varied by animal. Therefore we concluded production efficiencybecomes possible can be improved by classifying the natural characteristics of each animal cattle.

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Skin pH was examined in domestic animals using skin sebumeter, corneometer, and pH-meter. Skin pH was 7.07±0.13 in cats, 7.75±0.71 in dogs, 7.22±0. 28 in pigs, 8.46±0.57 in calves, 7.58±0.61 in heifers, and 6.86±0.23 in milking cows. The influence of site and hair were examined in milking cows. Skin pH was 7.93±0.80 at the neck with hair, and 7.05±0.56 at the neck without hair. On the other hand, skin pH was 8.25±0.92 at the last rib with hair, and 6.70±0.62 at the last rib without hair. These results suggest each animal has a different skin pH and that skin pH of cattle may differ with growth stages. In addition, skin pH was influenced by hair more than body site (neck and last rib) in the milking cow.

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Conditions for collecting and preserving blood samples for the metabolic profile test (MPT) were investigated by using five healthy adult castrated Japanese Black cattle. Values in heparinated plasma were compared with those in rapidly separated serum : free fatty acid (FFA), β hydroxy-butyric acid (BHB), total cholesterol (T-cho), phospholipids (PL), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and γ glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GTP) were lower in plasma, while β lipoprotein (β-lipo), total protein (Tp) and albumin (Alb) were higher in plasma. When whole blood was stored at room temperature for 2 hours, urea nitrogen (BUN) and γ-GTP were elevated in serum. Regarding glucose (Glu) level there was no difference between serum and heparinated plasma. When separated serum was refrigerated or frozen, Glu, BHB, T-cho, Tp, Alb, BUN and inorganic phosphor were stable for 7 days. FFA, PL, β-Lipo, Ca, AST and γ-GTP were relatively unstable.

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The asebi (Pieris japonica) include several glucosides such as Pieristoxin, Grayanotoxin, Asebotoxin or Andoromedotoxin. There are reports Pieris poisoning in goats, sheep and cattle. We experienced sheep and goats with severe respiratory distress and sudden death at a farm in Fukushima prefecture. We diagnosed Pieris poisoning because of the leaves recovered from the rumen of the dead sheep. In particular, there was severe pulmonary edema. The asebi tree had been planted as an ornamental and its harvested leaves were mistakenly fed to the animals.

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A dairy cow with prostration, anorexia, and arrhythmia during the periparturient period was cardiographically diagnosed as having complete atrioventricular block. Macroscopically, the heart was round and moderately enlarged. Histopathologically, fibrous tissue was markedly proliferated around vessels from endocardium to stratum myocardium. We diagnosed this as a case of endocardial fibrosis with complete atrioventricular block.

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