Tropical fish medicine. Necropsy examination of fish

Necropsy examination of moribund or dead specimens is an essential step in diagnosing fish diseases. This article discusses basic anatomy and necropsy procedures. A large part of the article has been devoted to methods of procuring samples for laboratory analysis and histologic examination. To determine which findings are responsible for the mortalities, the entire case history and gross necropsy findings must be reviewed. Careful observations made during the necropsy examination provide valuable information immediately, as well as later on in the interpretation of laboratory data.     

Use of DNA probes to monitor nutritional effects on ruminal prokaryotes and Fibrobacter succinogenes S85.

We used DNA probes to study dietary effects on the prokaryotic population in the rumen. Procedures used to isolate and quantify prokaryotic 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) from the rumen using universal and species-specific DNA probes were evaluated. In this experiment, three ruminally fistulated steers were fed orchard-grass hay, and ruminal digesta were collected at 0, 3, and 9 h after offering hay (0800). Samples of ruminal digesta were taken from the interior portion of the digesta mat and from the fluid below the mat in the dorsal rumen. Freezing (-65 degrees C) and blending samples both increased (P less than .07) the yield of 16S rRNA from ruminal digesta. Extraction of prokaryotic rRNA was greater (P less than .04) when phenol buffered with sodium acetate was used than when it was buffered with hydroxymethyl-amino-methane. Prokaryotic 16S rRNA concentration of the fluid phase was similar (P greater than .10) at 0, 3, and 9 h after offering hay. Prokaryotic 16S rRNA concentration of the mat phase increased up to the 9 h after feeding. The proportion of Fibrobacter succinogenes remained constant in both digesta phases at all times measured. From these data we concluded that DNA probes can be used to monitor bacterial population shifts in the rumen.     

Dysgenesis atypica ovarü bei einer XY-Kalbin. Histologische, biochemische, genetische und Rezeptor-Befunde

Inhalt: Die Phänomene der gonadalen Dysgenese weisen eine erhebliche Bandbreite au Die hier vorgestellte XY-Kalbin hatte ein geringgradig hypoplastisches, weibliches Genitale, in den dysgenetischen Gonaden lagen 2 Primordialrestfollikel vor. Ihre inter-stitiellen Zellen waren hyperplastisch, doch gab es keine Anzeichen für eine tumoröse Entartung, in Art eines Gonadenblastoms oder Dysgerminoms. Das Tier hatte zur Behandlung der bestehenden primären Amenorrhoe keine Hormonbehandlung erfahren. Die Konzentrationen uon Sexualsteroiden (Testosteron, Epitestosteron, Dehydroepian-drosteron) glichen solchen, wie sie im Zyklus des Rindes auftreten, ein Konzentrations-anstieg nach Pregnylapplikation war nichtzu erzielen. Nucleare Rezeptoren für Dihydro-testosteron waren nicht nachzuweisen. Die Persistenz von einzelnen Follikeln und von Keimzellen in den postpartalen resp. postpubertären Gonaden wurde in den letzten Jahren beim Menschen gelegentlich beschrieben, ist jedoch fur die reine gonadale Dysgenese nicht charakteristisch. Contents: Dysgenesis atypica ovarii in a XY-heifer The phenomena of gonadal dysgenesis show a wide range of variations. The XY-heifer described in this article showed low grade of hypoplasia of the inner female genital organes. Two primordial residual follicles were detected in serial sections of the dysgenetic gonads. The interstitial cells were hyperplastic, but there was no indication of tumorous degeneration, such as gonadoblastoma or dysgerminoma. No hormones had been given to treat primary amenorrhoe. Levels of sexual steroids (testosterone, epitestosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone were similar to those occurring in normal bovine cycle; Pregnyl failed to produce any rise in the concentration of sexual steroids. No evidence was found of nuclear receptors for dihydrotestosterone. Persistence of singular follicles and germinal cells in the postpartal and postpubertary gonads resp. of XY females has been sometimes observed (Cussen & Mac Mahon, 1979; Russel et al., 1980; Warner et al., 1985), but this is — by no means —characteristic for pure gonadal dysgenesis.     

Anaplastic sarcoma in the caudal thigh of a horse.

A 16-year-old showjumping gelding was examined because of a non-painful, slowly progressive caudal thigh swelling, which was associated with 2/10th lameness at the trot. Radiography, real time beta-mode ultrasonography and gamma-scintigraphy of the caudal thigh for the presence of chip fractures, sequestrum formation and, or, abscessation were inconclusive. Radiographic examination of the chest revealed multifocal, nodular cannon ball-like opacities throughout the entire lung fields from which a diagnosis of a primary soft tissue tumour with metastasis to the thorax was made. An anaplastic sarcoma was diagnosed port mortem in the candal thigh. At no time did the horse show signs of respiratory embarrassment.     

The pathogenesis of paraesophageal empyema in dogs and constancy of radiographic and computed tomography signs are linked to involvement of the mediastinal serous cavity

The mediastinal serous cavity is a normal anatomic space in the caudal mediastinum. Aims of this anatomic and case series study were to describe the signs of pathologic expansion of the mediastinal serous cavity observed during computed tomography (CT), review the underlying anatomy, perform a literature review, and evaluate the medical records of several dogs with mediastinal serous cavity empyema (paraesophageal empyema). The mesothelial lined mediastinal serous cavity is a cranial extension of the omental bursa, separated from the peritoneal cavity by the diaphragm, in the dorsal part of the caudal mediastinum, to the right of the esophagus, between the heart base and diaphragm. In five adult, large‐breed dogs with surgically and histologically confirmed paraesophageal empyema, macroscopic plant material was found at surgery in two dogs, adherence to adjacent lung was present in three different dogs, accessory lobectomy was performed in two dogs with subacute‐chronic pyogranulomatous pneumonia, and one dog had concurrent pyothorax and mediastinitis, but none had esophageal abnormalities. This study expands our understanding of the pathogenesis and basis for the imaging appearance of paraesophageal empyema in dogs by clarifying the underlying anatomic structures that direct development of this condition. The term empyema accurately describes this condition because the purulent material accumulates within an existing body cavity. The study also provides initial evidence that the development of paraesophageal empyema might be due to local extension of lung disease, such as foreign body migration or pneumonia. Computed tomography was helpful for diagnosis, assessing size, and determining the spread of disease.     

MECHANICAL MEASUREMENT OF GRAZING TIMES OF SHEEP AND A BIAS IN VISUAL ASSESSMENT

A mechanical device to record time spent in grazing by sheep is described and the results of tests of its performance under field conditions are given. There was good agreement between mecbanicai and visual records under field conditions, and observations made during tbe tests indicate a possible source of bias where visual records are made by an observer watching a group of animals.     

Erfahrungen bei der Arfenbek?mpfung des Kiefernspanners in biologischer und technischer Hinsicht

Ohne Zusammenfassung