The Morphology of 16 and 17 Day Old Bovine Blastocysts from Virgin and Repeat Breeder Heifers

The morphology of 16–17 days old embryos from virgin heifers (VH) and repeat breeder heifers (RBH) was compared using light and electron microscopy. In addition some embryos transferred from one heifer category to the other were studied. Embryos from VH were elongated blastocysts and the oval embryonic disc had three germ layers. The ectoderm was stratified and many mitoses were seen. The endoderm lining the blastocoelic cavity consisted of almost squamous cells conjoined by tight junctions. Between the ectoderm and the endoderm the mesoderm had developed and expanded laterally and the coelom had formed. The trophoblastic cells adjacent do the embryonic disc were cylindrical, whereas those more peripheral located were cuboidal. The trophoblastic cells were conjoined by tight junctions and they had numerous long microvilli on their peripheral surface. Except in the embryonic disc region, the endodermal cells had filopodial processes towards the trophoblast. The embryos from RBH varied in appearance. One was similar to those from VH whereas the others were, more or less retarded, without formation of mesoderm. The smaller one consisted ot trophoblastic cells only. The transferred embryos (representing surviving embryos: 2 out of 9 in VH-RBH and 5 of 6 in RBH-VH) had a morphology similar to that of VH blastocytes two though, appeared somewhat retarded. It is suggested that the retarded embryos lack the ability to complete embryonic development and that the uterine environment of RBH is not favourable to sustain normal embryonic development.     

The immunohistochemical detection of Mycoplasma bovis and bovine viral diarrhea virus in tissues of feedlot cattle with chronic, unresponsive respiratory disease and/or arthritis.

The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of selected pathogens in the tissues of a group of feedlot cattle with chronic disease (most often respiratory disease and/or arthritis). Samples of lung and joint tissues from 49 feedlot animals that had failed to respond to antibiotic therapy were tested by immunohistochemical staining for the antigens of Mycoplasma bovis, Haemophilus somnus, Pasteurella (Mannheimia) hemolytica, and bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV). Mycoplasma bovis was demonstrated in over 80% of cases, including in 45% of joints and 71% of lungs tested. Mycoplasma bovis was the only bacterial pathogen identified in the joints. Haemophilus somnus and Pasteurella (Mannheimia) haemolytica were found in 14% and 23% of cases, respectively, and were confined to the lungs in all instances. Infection with BVDV was demonstrated in over 40% of cases. Mycoplasma bovis and BVDV were the most common pathogens persisting in the tissues of these animals that had failed to respond to antibiotic therapy.     

Research on abalone (Haliotis midae L.) cultivation in South Africa

Although abalone fisheries in South Africa have existed since 1949, cultivation started by successful spawning of captured specimens in 1981 to produce spat and juveniles. Twelve abalone farms, with an estimated investment of US$12 million, have since been established on the coast of South Africa, with a projected production of 500–800 tons. While Haliotis midae could reach a maximum size of about 200 mm shell length at an age of over 30 years in the wild, farm production is concentrating on an average size of 100 mm after 5 years. Growth rates of 0.08–4.5% body weight day ^?1 for abalone of 10–17 mm shell length have been found under stimulated farming conditions on formulated diets, while the corresponding feed conversion ratio (FCR) was 0.9–2.4. Growth rate, FCR and protein efficiency ratio decline at water temperatures above 20 °C. Anaesthetics, for example magnesium sulphate, are used to prevent injury during removal from tanks. Prostrate diatoms, such as Cocconeis sublittoralis (Hendey), Amphora proteoides (Hustedt) and Achnanthes brevipes (Agardh) are preferred after the larval stage (5–7 days, depending on temperature) are finished. South Africa abalone growers prefer formulated feeds in pellet form, which is convenience and cost favourable to farm operations and management. Although fish meal has been found to be the most suitable protein source for inclusion in formulated diets, plant proteins such as soy bean meal, cottonseed meal and sunflower meal presented good growth and apparent protein digestibility. The parasite sabellid polychaete, Terebrasabella heterouncinata, recently named by Australian and American researchers, is indigenous to a variety of South African intertidal molluscs and impedes growth by causing irritation beneath the mantle in abalone. Prevention to some degree is possible by high standards of hygiene and husbandry of abalone in the tanks, but new techniques to control large infestations now include ultrasound. In spite of a reputation for toughness, abalone meat frozen immediately after shucking is tender relative to red meat. The success of abalone farming in South Africa has been as a result of a high degree of cooperation between the private sector and government‐backed research institutions, and it is anticipated that this collaboration will continue.     

Physeal Fractures in the Horse II. Management and Outcome

Seventy physeal fractures in horses were initially managed by euthanasia (18), stall confinement (25), application of a cast (7), or internal fixation (20). Of the 52 physeal fractures initially managed with stall confinement, a cast, or internal fixation, 23 (44%) healed and 13 (25%) of these horses became sound. The number of horses less than 4.5 months of age with pressure physeal fractures that became sound was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than the number of horses greater than 4.5 months of age. The number of horses with functional, pain-free limbs (sound horses) or functional limbs (lame horses) was not significantly different (p > 0.05) for Salter-Harris Type I, II, III, or IV pressure physeal fractures; however, critical examination for growth disturbances was not performed. The number of horses with pressure or traction physeal fractures of less than 5 days duration prior to presentation that healed or became sound was not significantly different (p > 0.05) when compared with those horses with fractures of greater than or equal to 5 days duration.     

An evaluation of the Olsen test as a measure of plant-available phosphorus in grassland soils derived from basalt parent material

Abstract. Anecdotal and circumstantial evidence have suggested that the Olsen test underestimates plant-available phosphorus (P) in basaltic soils in Northern Ireland. Therefore, the ability of this test to predict plant-available P in basaltic (and non-basaltic) soils was investigated by regressing Olsen-P data against herbage P indices calculated from plant tissue test data using the diagnosis and recommendation integrated system. The average Olsen-P concentration for a range of fields situated on basaltic soils was considerably lower than the average Olsen-P concentration for a range of fields situated on non-basaltic soils, and yet mean sward P status, as given by the herbage P indices, was similar for both groups of fields. Herbage P indices were also much better correlated with Olsen-P measurements in non-basaltic soils than in basaltic soils. Furthermore, at low Olsen-P values (≶9mgPL⁻¹) some swards on basaltic soils were genuinely deficient in P, while others were sufficient or even in surplus for this nutrient. The results confirm that Olsen-P is inadequate as a predictor of plant-available P in basaltic soils. It is concluded that an alternative soil test is needed to provide a reliable assessment of plant-available P in basaltic soils, to prevent overuse of fertilizer and manure P and to minimize the amounts of P entering local watercourses.     

THE EFFECT OF A COMBINATION OF MEDETOMIDINE-BUTORPHANOL AND MEDETOMIDINE, BUTORPHANOL, ATROPINE ON GLOMERULAR FILTRATION RATE IN DOGS

The effects of intramuscularly administered medetomidine and butorphanol (MB), and medetomidine, butorphanol, atropine (MBA) on glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were determined in six dogs as measured by 99m-Tc-labeled diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (99mTc-DTPA) nuclear scintigraphy. Direct systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial blood pressures and heart rate were measured at regular time intervals before, during, and after GFR calculations. The mean GFR measurement following MB was significantly greater (4.44 ml/min/kg) than following MBA (3.82 ml/min/kg) or saline treatment (3.41 ml/min/kg). There was no significant difference between the mean GFR measurements following MBA injection and following saline injection. Diastolic and mean arterial pressures following MBA injection were significantly higher than the values recorded after either MB or saline alone. Heart rate following MB administration was significantly lower than that recorded for dogs receiving MBA or saline alone. The results of this study indicate that the administration of medetomidine in combination with butorphanol significantly increases total GFR in healthy dogs, while the administration of the combination of medetomidine, butorphanol, and atropine does not.     

Prevalence of the enteroaggregative Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin 1 gene and its relationship with fimbrial and enterotoxin genes in E. coli isolated from diarrheic piglets.

A total of 720 Escherichia coli strains isolated from diarrheic piglets on 756 swine farms were screened for the presence of the enteroaggregative E. coli heat-stable enterotoxin 1 (EAST1) gene by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Escherichia coli strains that carried EAST1 genes were also tested by PCR for the presence of 4 fimbriae (F4, F5, F6, F41), 2 heat-stable enterotoxins (STa and STb), and 1 heat-labile enterotoxin (LT) gene. One hundred sixty-four (22.7%) of the 720 E. coli isolates carried genes for EAST1. Of these 164 isolates, 62 (37.8%) carried EAST1 genes only, 11 (6.7%) carried genes for at least 1 of the fimbrial adhesins, 51 (31.1%) carried genes for at least 1 of the enterotoxins, and 40 (23.8%) carried genes for at least 1 of the fimbrial adhesins and enterotoxins. Forty-six percent of strains that carried EAST1 genes carried STa genes, and 16% of strains that carried EAST1 genes carried F4. The isolation rate of enterotoxigenic E. coli strains carrying genes for EAST1 gene was 63%. The 6 major genotypes observed in this study (in decreasing order) were EAST1+, EAST1+STa+, EAST1+STa+STb+, EAST1+STa+F5+, EAST1+STa+F4+, and EAST1+STb+F4+. EAST1 is widely prevalent among diarrheagenic strains of E. coli and may represent an important virulence determinant in the pathogenesis of enteric colibacillosis of preweaned pigs.     

应用多重PCR检测人工感染鸡呼吸道疾病的研究

本文报道了IBV，NDV，ILTV，MG人工感染4周龄SPF鸡和非免疫鸡后，用多重PCR检测试验鸡的咽喉棉拭子和器官组织样品，并与传统的病原分离鉴定，血清学方法进行比较，多重PCR无论是对单一感染病原，还是对两种以上混合感染病原，其敏感性和检测速度都优于传统的鉴别诊断方法，具有较高的实用价值，可以直接应用于临床检测，服务于生产。     

Reproduction in three species of rainbowfish (Melanotaeniidae) from rainforest streams in northern Queensland, Australia

Abstract – The reproductive biology of three species of rainbowfish (Melanotaeniidae) in northeastern Australian rainforest streams was investigated. Two species, Melanotaenia eachamensis and Cairnsichthys rhombosomoides are endemic to the area, whereas the third, M. splendida splendida, is more widespread. The species were all highly fecund, producing many hundreds of eggs between 1.10 and 1.24 mm in diameter. Melanotaenia eachamensis was the most fecund, produced the largest eggs of the three species, and consequently exhibited the greatest maternal investment (as measured by gonadosomatic index). The majority of reproductive effort occurred during the dry season, although reproductively active fish were present year-round for each of the species, but particularly so for M. s. splendida and C. rhombosomoides. No evidence for a role by temperature or photoperiod as environmental cues for reproduction was found, and it was suggested that gonad development was strongly tied to somatic growth. The concentration of reproduction to the dry season ensures that larvae are produced during a period of relatively stable and benign physical conditions. Comparison of temporal changes in gonadosomatic index values suggest that the spawning season of M. eachamensis , which occurs in high-elevation streams, is more restricted and commences about 1 month earlier than either other species. A similar phenology was observed for the M. s. splendida population found at high elevation and highlights the potential for spatial differences in stream productivity to influence life history. ^Note     

Validation of the otoliths for age determination in Barbus sclateri (Günth.)

Abstract – Otoliths were used to explore the timing of annulus formation in Barbus sclateri. Lapillus exhibited opaque and translucent zones whose combination was formed once a year. Opaque zones appeared formed from July and January, and the translucent ones from February to June. We describe a procedure to assess age by using the number of annulii, the condition of the otolith's edge and the capture date. The use of otoliths for age determination in this cyprinid endemic to the Iberian Peninsula provides a useful alternative to the traditional methods of scale reading. ^Note