Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis in an alpaca (Vicugna pacos)

Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis (PAM) is a rare, familial disease of unknown aetiology characterised by intra‐alveolar formation and accumulation of microliths. Multiple formalin‐fixed tissues were submitted from a 5‐month‐old female alpaca that died suddenly without significant clinical signs. No gross abnormalities were observed on postmortem examination. Histological findings included PAM and severe centrilobular hepatic necrosis. Although the hepatic lesion was the likely cause of death, PAM was an incidental finding that has not been reported previously in alpacas. An overview of PAM, including pathogenesis and histopathological characteristics, are discussed in relation to the concurrent hepatic disease in the present case.     

Kontrolle der luteolytischen Wirkung eines neuen Prostaglandin F2α-Analogs bei der Behandlung von Stuten mit Anostrie and Dyszyklie unter fortlaufender Bestimmung des Progesteronspiegels im Plasma

Inhalt 15 Stuten mit Anöstrie bzw. Dyszyklie wurden unter Kontrolle ihres Plasmaprogesteronspiegels mit einem Prostaglandinanalog (Hoe 837 V; 0,1 mg/ml) behandelt. Die Progesteronwerte lagen vor der Behandlung zwischen 1,6 ng/ml and 13,6 ng/ml. Eine ausreichende Luteolyse lieβ sich bei 14 Stu ten mit einer einzigen intramuskulären Injektion von 3,3 ml induzieren. Die Marke von 1 ng/ml war bei 9 Stuten schon am ersten and bei weiteren 5 Stuten am zweiten Tag nach der PG-Injektion erreicht. Die während der Rosse gemessenen Progesteronwerte entsprachen weitgehend den von anderen Autoren bestimmten. Dauer and Verlauf der Rosse waren wie bei nicht behandelten Stuten. 2–7 Tage nach Rossebeginn bzw. zwischen dem 5. and 12. Tag nach der PG-Behandlung stiegen die Progesteronwerte wieder über 1 ng/ml. In der Lutealphase erreichten sie bei den tragend gewordenen Stuten schnell einen Spitzenwert um 8 ng/ml (x?). Die Verlaufskurven zeigten groβe individuelle Unterschiede hinsichtlich des Progesteronniveaus. Bei Stuten mit späterer Fruchtresorption wurde zwischen dem 5./6. bis 13./14. Tag ein deutliches Progesterondefizit erkennbar. Von 2 Stuten, die in der induzierten Rosse nicht konzipierten, hatte die eine einen verkürzten, die andere einen spontan verlängerten Diöstrus. Die Frühkonzeptionsrate betrug 84,6 %. Nachkontrollen ergaben, daβ 61,5 % der behandelten Stuten tragend wurden. Pro Trächtigkeit waren durchschnittlich 1,6 Sprünge erforderlich. Contents Control of the luteolytic effect of a new prostaglandin F₂α-analogue during the treatment of anestrous and dyscyclic mares under continual measurement of the progesterone level in the blood plasma. 15 mares in clinical anestrus and dyscyclia were treated with the prostaglandin F₂α-analogue (Hoe 837 V; 0,1 mg/ml) under control of the plasma progesterone level. Before treatment the plasma progesterone values ranged between 1.6 ng/ml and 13.6 ng/ml. A satisfactory luteoly tic response was obtained with a single intramusculary dose of 3.3 ml in 14 mares. 24–48 h after the PG-injection progesterone declined to baseline levels of 1 ng/ml. The mares came to estrus 1–2 days after falling of progesterone < 1 ng/ml or 1–6 days after the PG-injection. Progesterone values measured in the estrus-period were like those determined from other authors. Duration and performance of estrus were as in untreated mares. 2–7 days from the onset of estrus and between five to twelve days after treatment, the progesterone levels again arose >1 ng/ml. In the lutealphase in pregnant mares they reached a peak of 8 ng/ml (x?) quickly. The progesterone courses showed great individual difference in their basal levels. In mares undergoing embryonic resorption a progesterone deficiency is seen in the early lutealphase between the 5.16. day and 13.114. day. From the two mares which did not conceive in the induced estrus one had a shortened and another a prolonged diestrus. The conception rate for early pregnancy was 84.6 %, and still 61.5 % for late pregnancy. In the average for each pregnancy 1.6 copulations were needed.     

Mitotane (o, DDD) resistance in a dog with pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism and phaeochromocytoma

A dog was presented with a 2 year history of polyuria and polydipsia due to pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism. A low-dose dexamethasone suppression test and measurement of plasma ACTH concentration confirmed the diagnosis. Treatment was instituted with mitotane at 44 mg/kg/day and then 88 mg/kg/d without complete resolution of signs. The dog collapsed with signs consistent with liver disease and was euthanased. Necropsy revealed a phaeochromocytoma of the left adrenal medulla with extensive metastases to the liver. A chromophobe adenoma of the pars intermedia of the pituitary was found.     

Use of azadirachtin as a larvicide or feeding deterrent for control of western flower thrips in orchard systems

Field trials were carried out to assess the efficacy of a 4% azadirachtin (aza)-containing neem seed extract EC, against damage by western flower thrips [Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)] on nectarine crops in the Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, Canada. Several trials were conducted during the years 1993 to 1995 to assess the repellent and larvicidal properties of aza, specifically: whether it was effective against adult or larval thrips; how the effects differed with concentration of aza; and whether female WFT avoided aza-treated flowers. Our results showed that aza has only limited effectiveness as a control agent against WFT on nectarines and the current formulation does not appear to limit larval development sufficiently to be deemed a possible control agent in this field situation.     

Multiple nonlethal congenital anomalies in a llama

Whereas numerous congenital anomalies in South American camelids have been reported, multiple anomalies are uncommon. A young llama evaluated for bilateral hind limb lameness was found to have cranially rotated tibial tarsal bones as well as bilateral carpus and tarsus valgus and a ventricular septal defect. These anomalies were likely hereditary, and llamas so affected should not be bred.     

Fungal infection of the eyes of the snake Epicrates chenchria maurus: enucleation under halothane narcosis

In a rainbow boa (Epicrates chenchria maurus) an affection of the spectacle of the eyes caused by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum is described for the first time. Enucleation was performed under premedication of Hypnodil and inhalation anesthesia with tracheal intubation, using Halothane. Résumé. On décrit, pour la première fois, chez le boa Epicrates chenchria maurus une affection des paupières transparentes causée par le fongus Fusarium oxysparum. L'énucléation a été faite sous prémédication d'Hypnodil et d'inhalation anesthésie avec intubation trachéale, utilisant Halothane. Zusammenfassung. In einer Boa, Epicrates chenchria maurus, wurde eine Erkrankung von der durchsichtigen Kapsel über dem Auge, verursacht durch den Fungus Fusarium oxysporum zum ersten Ma1 beschrieben. Enukleation wurde vorgenommen, unter Basisnarkose van Hypnodil und Einatmungsanästhesie mit trachealer Intubation, indem man Halothane gebrauchte.     

Cyclic Related and Pathological Changes in the Lectin-binding Sites on the Swine Oviduct

This study was carried out to compare the lectin-binding pattern in the normal and pathological oviduct of sows during the ovarian cycle. Lectin-binding patterns showed differences between segments, phases of ovarian cycle and presence of morphologic lesions. In the infundibulum, it was observed that the cysts, in the follicular phase, reduced Ricinus communis-I (RCA-I) and Ulex europaeus-I (UEA-I) binding. Furthermore, in the pathological oviducts of the luteal-phase group, there is a reduction of Concanavalia ensiformis (Con-A) reactivity in this segment of the tube having wall cysts, adenomyosis and diverticulus. The Arachis hypogaea (PNA) binding in the infundibulum, during the luteal phase, decreased in the tube having adenomyosis. In animals with wall cysts, the Con-A, Triticum vulgaris (WGA) and RCA-I reactivity was minor in the glycocalyx of the isthmus epithelium during follicular phase. Con-A and Dolichos biflorus (DBA) binding pattern was minor in the luteal-phase isthmus of the tube having wall cysts, adenomyosis and diverticulus. In the ampulla, the wall cysts impaired the Con-A reaction only in the basal region of the epithelium, in the follicular phase. Binding with Con-A was decreased in the ampulla of animals in the luteal phase in the tube lesions with cysts and diverticulus. In addition, the diverticulus observed in the ampulla, during the luteal phase, reduced the PNA tubaric binding. The results of this study showed that the morphologic alterations modify the sugar pattern in the oviduct of sows. These modifications in glycoconjugates may be one of the reasons for the failure of fertility in sows.     

Non-invasive assessment of adrenocortical activity as a measure of stress in leopards Panthera pardus

Leopards Panthera pardus are classified in the IUCN Red List as Vulnerable, primarily due to habitat loss, natural prey base depletion and exploitation caused by various anthropogenic activities. Although protected areas are important for leopard conservation, the majority of suitable leopard habitat lies beyond protected area boundaries exposing individuals to different environmental, physiological and psychosocial stressors. This study aimed to examine the suitability of five different enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) for monitoring adrenocortical function in the leopard based on faecal glucocorticoid metabolite (fGCM) analysis. After performing an adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test and investigating the stability of fGCM post-defaecation, faeces from free-ranging leopards in a peri-urban and a conservation area were collected to investigate the potential impact of habitat variability on glucocorticoid output. An EIA measuring fGCM with a 5α-3β-11β-diol structure performed best, demonstrating a ～200%–330% increase in fGCM concentrations approximately 40 h post-ACTH administration. Concentrations of fGCM remained quite stable for up to six days post-defaecation and showed a maximum increase of 8% and a maximum decrease of 9%. Although not significantly different, overall median fGCM concentrations were 68% higher in individuals utilising the peri-urban area compared with leopards utilising the conservation area. The ranges of fGCM concentrations between sites, however, were similar. Individual median fGCM concentrations differed distinctly between free-ranging males and females, possibly linked to female reproductive status. The established method can now assist in addressing some of the issues facing local wildlife managers, conservationists and researchers tackling various aspects related to leopard conservation and management under different land-use practices.     

The Solar Acoustic Spectrum and Eigenmode Parameters

The Global Oscillation Network Group (GONG) project estimates the frequencies, amplitudes, and linewidths of more than 250,000 acoustic resonances of the sun from data sets lasting 36 days. The frequency resolution of a single data set is 0.321 microhertz. For frequencies averaged over the azimuthal order m, the median formal error is 0.044 microhertz, and the associated median fractional error is 1.6 x 10(-5). For a 3-year data set, the fractional error is expected to be 3 x 10(-6). The GONG m-averaged frequency measurements differ from other helioseismic data sets by 0.03 to 0.08 microhertz. The differences arise from a combination of systematic errors, random errors, and possible changes in solar structure.