Animal industry and veterinary science in eastern New Guinea 1: before World War II

Until the latter part of the nineteenth century, there were no domestic animals other than pigs, dogs and poultry in the island of New Guinea. From 1889 onwards, occupying authorities, missionaries and settlers from Germany, the UK, Japan and Australia imported ruminants, pigs and horses. Some of these importations were from Asia. This paper describes some outcomes of those importations and the potential hazards for Australia entailed in them.     

家蚕饲料效率的研究——Ⅰ.家蚕叶丝转化率生理因素

调查了不同世代五龄逐日食下量、消化量、体重和叶丝转化率,分析了影响家蚕叶丝转化率的有关生理因素,结果,家蚕叶丝转化率为食下鲜叶量的2％-2.4％,不同世代及品种间存在着极显著的差异。叶丝转化率的高低与五龄逐日食下量、消化量、消化率及体重增长有明显的关联。叶丝转化率与茧层率、五龄前3天净增体重和摄食系数、三龄眠蚕体重存在着极显著的相关关系。     

A RADIOGRAPHIC STUDY OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SHEEP CARPUS FROM BIRTH TO 18 MONTHS OF AGE

Osseous development of the carpus of six clinically normal lambs was studied radiographically from birth to 18 months of age with the aim of forming a standard radiographic evaluation and reference for the sheep carpus.
Radiographic data consisted of 200 radiographs. Dorsopalmar and lateromedial projections were made daily during the first week, then weekly until the sixth month, and finally monthly until 18 month of age. Ten radiographs were selected to illustrate normal development of the carpus.
The distal ulnar epiphysis reached the ulnar carpal bone at the third week, but remained separate from the ulnar diaphysis until six months of age. The ulnar epiphysis was radiographically fused with the ulnar diaphysis at thirteen months of age.     

Quantification of historical livestock importation into New Zealand 1860–1979

AIMS: To quantify the numbers of live cattle, sheep and poultry imported into New Zealand and, where possible, their country of origin from 1860 to 1979.

METHODS: Information on the origin and number of live animal importations into New Zealand was collected for cattle, sheep and poultry for the period 1868–1979 from the annual reports compiled by the New Zealand Registrar General's Office, Government Statistician's Office, Census and Statistics Office, Census and Statistics Department, Customs Department and Department of Statistics. Census data from 1851 to 1871 were also used to estimate the livestock population during this period. The number of animals imported and the mean population for each species in a decade were determined, and the major countries of origin were identified.

RESULTS: A large number of cattle (53,384) and sheep (604,525) were imported in the 1860s, and then there was a marked reduction in importations. Live poultry were imported in relatively small numbers (20,701) from 1880 to 1939, then 1,564,330 live poultry were imported between 1960 and 1979. Australia was the predominant country of origin for sheep between 1868 and 1959 (51,347/60,918; 84.3%) and of cattle between 1868 and 1979 (10,080/15,157; 66.5%). Only 6,712 (11.0%) sheep and 3,909 (25.8%) cattle were imported from the United Kingdom over the same periods, and even fewer from other countries.

CONCLUSIONS: The collated data and historical reports show that from 1860 to 1979 Australia has been the main source of livestock introduced into New Zealand. The pattern of importation showed that large numbers of cattle and sheep were initially imported in the 1860s, probably in response to rapid agricultural expansion. Thereafter importations continued at much reduced numbers. In contrast, relatively small numbers of poultry were introduced until the 1960s when large numbers were imported as part of the development of a modern high-production industry. The overall pattern for both cattle and sheep was of a bottleneck event, as initially a relatively limited number of animals arrived from outside populations, followed by population expansion with ongoing but limited immigration (admixture). Investigation into the genetic population structure of New Zealand's cattle and sheep, as well as their host-associated microorganisms, could reflect the impact of these early historical events.     

坝上地区紫花苜蓿的需水量、需水强度和作物系数(Ⅳ)

采用大型非称重式蒸渗仪法,研究了河北坝上地区紫花苜蓿(Medicago sativa L.)的需水量、需水强度和作物系数。结果表明:坝上地区2010年紫花苜蓿第1,2,3茬和全生长季(1～3茬)需水量分别为243.4,134.2,184.0和561.6mm,第1茬显著高于第2和第3茬(P<0.05),第3茬显著高于第2茬(P<0.05);需水强度分别为3.9,4.5,3.5和3.8mm·d^-1,第2茬显著高于第1和第3茬(P<0.05),第1茬和第3茬差异不显著;作物系数分别为0.83,0.74,0.75和0.77,第1茬最高,第2和第3茬相近。依据连续4年的测定结果综合分析认为,坝上地区紫花苜蓿全生长季需水量、需水强度和作物系数分别在430～720mm,3.1～4.9mm·d^-1和0.77～1.12之间。     

Lymphocyte reactivity to mitogens and natural killer cell activity in crossbred swine during the reproductive cycle

The effect of pregnancy and lactation on the cell-mediated immune response of first litter gilts was assessed using the response of circulating lymphocytes to in vitro mitogen stimulation and the cytotoxic activity of the circulating natural killer (NK) cells. Groups of gilts were sampled during the first, second and third trimester of gestation, weekly during lactation, at weaning and estrus following weaning of the piglets. No significant differences were found in the response of the cells from any of the groups to phytohemagglutinin A or concanavalin A stimulation. The natural killer cell activity, measured as cytotoxicity, decreased during gestation reaching a low point during the second and third week of lactation.     

ANATOMIC VARIATIONS IN THE NUTRIENT FORAMINA OF THE EQUINE THIRD METATARSAL BONE IN TWO HORSES

An unusual presentation of the nutrient foramen of the third metatarsal bone (Mt-3) is described in two horses. In the first horse, the nutrient foramen was located ectopically in the dorsolateral cortex of Mt-3. The metatarsal nutrient foramina of the second horse were in the usual plantar location, but one was atypical in configuration. Clinical signs did not appear to be associated with these findings in either horse. The possibility of misdiagnosing a fracture rather than an ectopic nutrient foramen is discussed.     

Some epidemiological features and effects on reproductive performance of endemic porcine parvovirus infection

The time of development of demonstrable antibody to porcine parvovirus (PPV) was determined for 661 gilts entering the breeding herd in a 2800 sow intensive piggery; 13.2% of these gilts did not have detectable antibody to PPV when first introduced into the breeding herd at 25 to 26 weeks of age. Exposure to PPV was found to vary in different sheds and even in different areas within a shed. Gilts that developed antibody to PPV during the first third of pregnancy were not adversely affected. Those that developed antibody during the middle third of pregnancy had fewer piglets born alive, more stillborn piglets and more mummified foetuses.     

PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS ON THE PRODUCTIVITY OF FEMALE CATTLE IN THE KIMBERLEY REGION OF NORTHWESTERN AUSTRALIA

Three experiments were done to determine the influence of supplementary feeding with crushed whole cotton seed and weaning on the productivity of breeding female cattle under range conditions in the Kimberley region, north-western Australia. In the first experiment, supplementary feeding cut losses of breeding cows from 47% to nil, and increased calf turn-off from 18% to 58%, in a sample of cattle from Argyle Downs cattle station during a severe dry season. In the second experiment, weaning calves at 4–6 months of age reduced weight loss in supplemented cows, from 21 to 8% over the last 100 days of the dry season, although the subsequent growth of supplemented weaned calves was inferior to that of non-weaned calves. In the third experiment, weaning of calves had no effect on body weight changes in supplemented cows, although non-weaned calves gained significantly faster than weaned supplemented calves. Control of cattle tick infestation by spraying increased blood haematocrit and haemoglobin values, but had no effect on total plasma proteins. A survey of feral cattle in the Kimberley area showed depressed blood haeboglobin, haematocrit and plasma protein values in breeding cows compared with other classes of cattle.     

Atrial Fibrillation Associated with Anesthesia in a Standardbred Gelding

A Standardbred gelding was anesthetized on three occasions over a 3 year period. Anesthesia was induced with xylazine and thiamylal on the first occasion, with xylazine, guaifenesin, and thiamylal on the second, and with acepromazine, guaifenesin, and ketamine on the third. Anesthesia was maintained with halothane during each episode. The horse had atrial fibrillation (AF) after induction of anesthesia on the first two occasions. Because arterial blood pressure remained within normal limits during AF and anesthesia, conversion to normal sinus rhythm with quinidine was not attempted. Reversion to normal sinus rhythm occurred within 12 hours of recovery after each of the first two anesthetic episodes. The gelding remained in normal sinus rhythm throughout the third anesthetic period and recovered uneventfully. Potential causes for AF in anesthetized horses are discussed.     

Effects of infection with Trypanosoma brucei brucei on different trimesters of pregnancy in ewes.

The effects of Trypanosoma brucei brucei infection during the first, second or third trimesters of pregnancy in 13 ewes were studied. All infected ewes were anaemic with the anaemia being most severe, moderate and least in ewes infected in the second, third and first trimesters, respectively. Weight loss occurred in all infected ewes but was most severe in ewes infected in the third trimester. Three of the four ewes infected in the first trimester died without aborting while one aborted and later died. Of the four ewes infected in the second trimester, three died without aborting while one lambed and later died. In the third trimester ewes, one aborted, two lambed and all three later died while one died without aborting. None of the lambs was viable. The control ewe lambed normally. The infection resulted in 16.7% abortion, 100% death and 33.3% neonatal deaths. This study demonstrates that T. brucei brucei has a devastating effect on pregnancy irrespective of the trimester of infection.     

Levels of thyroxine, beta carotene and vitamin A during successful and unsuccessful insemination of heifers

We studied the concentrations of thyroxine (T4), beta-carotene and vitamin A (vit. A) on the day (zero-th day) of the first successful and unsuccessful insemination of 63 heifers that were administered feed rations balanced according to the Czechoslovak standard CSN 46,7070, housed all the year round, inseminated at uniform time (8:00-9:00 a. m.) and with blood samplings at uniform time (10:00-12:00 a. m.). In the repeat-breeder heifers during the first insemination the above parameters were determined in the same conditions on the day of their second, or third successful and also unsuccessful insemination; the changes relevant to the first insemination were evaluated. In relation to the day of the first successful insemination, we recorded a significant increase in T4 concentration (P less than 0.001; P less than 0.001) on the day of the second, or third successful inseminations. During the second insemination we recorded significantly lower T4 concentrations in the cows which had failed to be inseminated in comparison with successfully inseminated cows; these concentrations did not differ significantly from T4 concentrations in the heifers that failed to become pregnant in the first insemination. Parallelly with the rise in T4 concentration, beta-carotene concentrations also increased during the second and third inseminations (P greater than 0.05). No difference was recorded in beta-carotene concentrations after the first and second unsuccessful inseminations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Assessment of incidental learning of medical terminology in a veterinary curriculum

The objective of this study was to determine whether students in a veterinary curriculum at Mississippi State University would gain an understanding of medical terminology, as they matriculate through their courses, comparable to that obtained during a focused medical terminology unit of study. Evaluation of students' incidental learning related to medical terminology during the 2004/2005 and 2005/2006 academic years indicated that 88.7% and 81.9% of students, respectively, scored above 70% on a medical terminology exam by the end of the first year of the curriculum. For the 2004/2005 academic, 67.6% increased their percentage of correct answers above 70% from the first medical terminology exam to the third. For the 2005/2006 academic year, 61.1% of students increased their score above 70% from the first to the third exam. Our data indicate that students can achieve comprehension of medical terminology in the absence of a formal terminology course.     

稀植新桑园绿枝水平压条快速丰产技术研究

稀植新桑园绿枝水平压条快速丰产栽培技术。要点是:枝条平伏,埋条,摘芯,促进绿枝萌芽发根,增株、增条、增苗,形成配套技术。其建园投苗量减少约50％,当年产出提高80％,第三年形成公顷产茧1750公斤的桑园群体结构,经济效益显著。具有方法简便,实用性强等特点。     

Effects of first breeding age on the production and reproduction of Holstein heifers up to the third lactation

The effects of early initiation of first service for dairy heifers on their fertility and productivity up to the third lactation were examined under constant raising and management conditions. Eight Holstein heifers in their early breeding regimens and eight Holstein heifers in their late breeding regimens were initiated to be bred at 12 and 15 months of age, respectively, and were first calved at 21.5 and 25.1 months of age, respectively, with bodyweights of 563 and 638 kg after calving, respectively. Early first breeding resulted in a lower bodyweight and a lower body condition score, but it did not affect the fertility or milk production during the first lactation of heifers as cows. The calving intervals of cows to the second and third calving were similar in early and late bred heifers. Although the early bred heifers had a significantly lower fat‐corrected milk yield at the second lactation than that of the late bred heifers, early breeding did not impair the productivity indicated by the mean milk yield per day from birth to the end of the third lactation with a shorter production period.     

Clinical features of consecutive intramammary infections with Streptococcus agalactiae in vaccinated and non-vaccinated heifers

The clinical, haematological and functional changes which followed three consecutive intramammary infections of Streptococcus agalactiae in the first lactation of eight heifers, four of which were systemically hyperimmune to the organism, are described. Irrespective of whether it was a vaccinated or non-vaccinated heifer or first, second or third infection the clinical features during the first 24 hours were characterised by elevated temperatures with hard, swollen and painful infected quarters. First infections were almost all of short duration because of self cure, while second or third infections were prolonged, with intermittent excretion of bacteria and low cell counts. Milk yields of infected quarters were depressed, ranging from 8 per cent in short infections to 31 per cent in chronic infections. All blood parameters remained within normal limits with the exception of total and differential white cell counts, which showed a change from a quantitative to a qualitative response by the third infection. The most significant finding was the absence of any real difference between the systemically hyperimmune and the non-vaccinated heifers, suggesting that circulating antibody has little effect against intramammary infection.     

Comparison of the fast‐induced and high dietary zinc‐induced molting: trace elements dynamic in serum and eggs at different production stages in hens (Gallus domesticus)

A number of 252, 70 week old, single comb white leghorn hens at the end of their first production cycle were divided into two groups: group‐I; molted by fasting and group‐II; by high dietary zinc to obtain the second and third production cycle. Sampling was carried out at 5%, peak and end of the second production cycle and at 5% and peak of the third production cycle. Serum zinc decreased at the peak of the second production cycle, while increased at the 5% of the third production cycle in zinc‐molted group. Serum copper and manganese increased at the 5% and peak of the second production cycle in zinc‐molted group. Egg albumin zinc and copper increased at the 5% and peak of the second as well as third production cycles in zinc‐molted group. Egg albumin manganese increased at 5% during the second production cycle in fasting molted group. Egg yolk zinc increased at the peak of the second production cycle in zinc‐molted group. Egg yolk copper increased at the 5% of second production cycle but decreased during the third production cycle in zinc‐molted group. Egg yolk manganese increased at the 5% and at the end of the second production cycle in zinc molted group. Egg yolk manganese and iron decreased during the third production cycle in zinc‐molted group. Eggshell zinc decreased at the end of the second production cycle in the zinc‐molted group, while eggshell copper increased at the peak of the second as well as third production cycles in fasting molted group.     

Risk of abortion associated with Neospora caninum during different lactations and evidence of congenital transmission in dairy cows

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between exposure to Neospora caninum and abortion in dairy cows during their first, second, third, and fourth or later lactations and to establish the main mode of transmission in female calves from birth until their first pregnancy was terminated by abortion or parturition. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. ANIMALS: 460 Holstein cows and 79 female calves. PROCEDURE: Cows were classified as seropositive or seronegative to N caninum within 7 days after calving; incidence of abortion was compared between groups during different lactations. Blood samples were collected from female calves before ingestion of colostrum and every 6 months until their first pregnancy was terminated by abortion or parturition; number of seropositive calves was compared between seropositive and seronegative dams. RESULTS: During the first pregnancy of their second lactation, risk of abortion for seropositive cows was 2.8 times that of seronegative cows. Among 10 calves born to seropositive cows, 4 were classified as seropositive at birth and thereafter. Among 69 calves born to seronegative cows, all were classified as seronegative at birth; 67 calves remained seronegative thereafter. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Exposure to N caninum alone was not significantly associated with abortion in cows during the first, third, and fourth or later lactations. Seropositive cows that have aborted previously may have subsequent abortions attributable to N caninum. Congenital infection was the main mode of N caninum transmission in a cohort of female calves.     

Development of the Bovine Duodenum with Reference to Enterochromaffin cells

The present light microscopic study describes the morphological changes which occur in the duodenal mucosa of the bovine fetus from the third month of gestation until birth with regard to the sequence of appearance and morphology of enterochromaffin cells. The mucosa of the duodenum is prepared for digestive activity during the first months of development. This becomes obvious in the early differentiation of the fetal intestinal mucosa. The enterocytes in villus epithelium contain glycogen in the early months. These glycogen pools seem to shrink during the following months. They may provide a metabolic reserve for the fetus, which derives all of its nutrition from carbohydrates. Enterochromaffin cells appear in the three month old bovine fetus with two cell-types situated in the epithelial lining of crypts and villi. The density of enterochromaffin cells increases during gestation. There were no findings to indicate that the fetal enterochromaffin cells did not originate from endoderm. The early appearance from enterochromaffin cells (which are the producers of serotonin, 5-hydroxytryptamine) correlates with first gastrointestinal movements, which are known to commence in the first third of gestation, leading us to believe that 5-HT represents the chemical inducer of muscular motility in the developing intestine.