Photosensitization in cattle and sheep caused by feeding Ammi majus (greater Ammi; Bishop's-Weed)

Feeding Ammi majus to cattle and sheep caused photosensitization in both species. It also caused photosensitization in human beings who had dermal contact with the plant and subsequent exposure to sunlight.     

Effects of placing cattle on feed at two-month intervals and housing on feedlot performance and carcass grades

A 5-yr study was conducted involving the placement of yearling steers on feed at 2-mo intervals under three different housing systems. A total of 3,571 steers (180 pens) initially averaging 318 kg was used. Evaluations were made for DM intake, ADG, feed efficiency (FE), carcass quality (QG), and yield grades (YG). Cattle were assigned to either an open lot with overhead shelter (S), an open lot without overhead shelter (NS), or an open-front confinement building (C). Each treatment consisted of two lots of 20 steers each per interval per trial. Corn grain provided 85% of the energy; the remainder was supplied by corn silage and protein supplement. Cattle were fed 140 to 180 d to achieve an average slaughter weight of 500 kg. The main effects of year (Y), month (M), and housing (H) affected DM intake, ADG, FE, and final live weight (P less than .01). The interactions for Y x M, M x H and Y x M x H affected ADG (P less than .05). Month and H affected hot carcass weight (P less than .01). Year affected YG, and year and month affected QG (P less than .01). Month effects on DM intake and ADG indicated that cattle started in May had the highest intake and ADG (P less than .05) and that cattle started in November had the lowest (P less than .05) DMI and ADG. Month effects on FE indicated that cattle were most efficient when placed on feed during March, May, and July (5.82, 5.72, and 5.66 kg DM/kg gain; P less than .05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Alkaline phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes in the cat

Feline alkaline phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes have been studied in tissue and serum. Alkaline phosphatase from various organs was quantitated and then subjected to cellulose acetate electrophoresis. The effects of bile duct ligation, prednisolone treatment and phenobarbital treatment on serum alkaline phosphatase was measured. The diagnostic importance of feline serum alkaline phosphatase levels is discussed in light of the results of this and other studies.     

Airway reactivity measured by barometric whole-body plethysmography in healthy cats

OBJECTIVE: To assess the validity of barometric whole-body plethysmography (BWBP) as a means of monitoring airway responses to induced bronchoconstriction in healthy cats. ANIMALS: 8 healthy cats without history of bronchopulmonary disease or exposure to indoor tobacco smoke. PROCEDURE: Cats were placed into a barometric plethysmograph with an internal volume of 38 L, and air flow was recorded at baseline and after carbachol (concentrations 0.005, 0.01, 0.02, 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2%) was introduced into the chamber. A dose-response curve was generated for several flow-derived measurements, and airway reactivity was determined by interpolation of the dose-response curve for enhanced pause. RESULTS: Peak inspiratory and expiratory flows increased significantly, but respiratory rate, inspiratory and expiratory times, relaxation time, and tidal volume did not differ significantly from baseline values. Flow-derived measurements (pause, enhanced pause, and end-expiratory pause) increased significantly at carbachol concentrations > 0.02%. Baseline measurements did not correlate with indices of airway reactivity. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Airway reactivity can be measured by use of BWBP, which is noninvasive. Airway reactivity was highly variable among cats and was not a function of baseline airway caliber, suggesting that other intrinsic mechanisms may be important.     

Prevalent organisms on ostrich carcasses found in a commercial abattoir

The prevalent microbial growth on carcasses before and after overnight cooling in an ostrich abattoir and de-boning plant was investigated. The effect of warm or cold trimming of the carcasses was examined together with possible causes of contamination along the processing line. An attempt was made to link the prevalent microorganisms that were identified from carcasses to those from specific external contamination sources. Samples of carcasses and possible contaminants were collected in the plant, plated out and selected organisms were typed using a commercial rapid identification system. It was indicated that the cold trim (mainly of bruises) of carcasses was advantageous in terms of microbiological meat quality. Results indicated pooled water in the abattoir as the most hazardous vector for carcass contamination and that contaminants from this source are mostly Gram-negative pathogens. Pseudomonas and Shigella were frequently isolated from surface and air samples and indicated that the control of total plant hygiene is a requirement for producing ostrich meat that is safe to consume and has an acceptable shelf-life.