Post-prandial compositional changes of fluid- and particle-associated ruminal microorganisms

Two ruminally cannulated cows were fed a diet containing 65% alfalfa haylage and 35% concentrate every 12 h. During two collection periods, whole ruminal contents were sampled before feeding, when feed not eaten was removed (1 h after initiation of feeding) and 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 h after removal. At each sampling, fluid-associated microorganisms were obtained by straining whole ruminal contents through eight layers of cheesecloth. A portion of the particle-associated population was obtained by chilling squeezed particles before seven successive extractions with saline solution. Microbial ash concentrations ranged from 9.9 to 16.6% of dry matter, with differences due to population (P less than .01) and to time after feeding for both fluid- (P less than .05) and particle-associated (P less than .01) microorganisms. Within 1 h after initiation of feeding, N decreased (P less than .05) from a pre-feeding concentration of 9.5% of organic matter to 7.7% for fluid-associated microorganisms, and from 9.2 to 6.7% for particle-associated microorganisms. Both populations did not return to pre-feeding concentrations until 6 h after feed removal. Nucleic acid concentrations decreased (P less than .05) in both populations after feeding, and did not return to pre-feeding concentrations until 6 h for fluid-associated and 4 h for particle-associated microorganisms. Nucleic acid-to-N ratios were higher (P less than .01) in the fluid- than particle-associated organisms.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Variations in muscle fiber composition between successfully and unsuccessfully raced quarter horses

Muscle biopsy samples were removed from the m gluteus medius of 47 retired running Quarter Horse (QH) mares. Horses were separated based on bloodline, past racing history and percentage Thoroughbred (TB). The bred to run and raced (BRRA) and bred to run and not raced (BRNR) groups possessed a lower percentage (P<.01) of fast-twitch low oxidative (FT) fibers (BRRA 38.6 and BRNR 36.2±2.54 respectively). These horses also possessed a higher percentage (P<.01) of fast-twitch high oxidative (FTH) fibers (BRRA 52.5 and BRNR 48.5±2.54, respectively) than not bred to run and not raced (NBNR) horses. Horses that were bred to run had higher (P<.05) FTH to FT fiber ratios (1.44) than horses that were not bred to run (.94). Successful racehorses possessed a lower percentage (P<.05) of slow-twitch (ST) fibers and a higher percentage (P<.05) of FT fibers than unsuccessful racehorses. Success or failure was determined by Speed Index. No differences (P>.05) were found in the percentage FTH fibers between successful and unsuccessful horses.     

Thin-layer agarose isoelectric focusing: an improved technique for determining sheep hemoglobin type

An improved technique for rapid screening of sheep flocks for hemoglobin (Hb) type is presented. This technique, isoelectric focusing (IEF) on thin-layer agarose gels is simple, rapid, inexpensive and is suitable for screening large numbers of sheep for Hb type. With this technique, up to 100 sheep blood samples can be prepared, tested and interpreted within 2 h after samples are drawn. The new technique was shown to provide better resolution than polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and was able to resolve samples in which the Hb had become partially degraded. These same samples could not be resolved by PAGE. The use of a special electroendosmosis-free grade of agarose provided resolution essentially equal to polyacrylamide as a matrix for IEF. The advantages are that the casting of the agarose gels is considerably easier, the focusing of samples is more rapid, staining and destaining times are greatly reduced and hazards from potential neurotoxicity of acrylamide are eliminated. Blood from 138 ewes at the Oregon State University Sheep Center was examined by the new agarose IEF technique to determine and demonstrate its usefulness for screening. No difficulty was encountered with interpretation of any of the samples. Frequencies of the HbA and B alleles were similar to those found in earlier studies when polyacrylamide tube gel electrophoresis was used. The observed frequencies were also similar to those expected with the population in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.     

Suspected chlorpyrifos toxicosis in a llama, and plasma pseudocholinesterase activity in llamas given chlorpyrifos

Five days after treatment with chlorpyrifos, a 1.5-year-old male llama was unable to stand, had saliva flowing from its mouth, and had constricted pupils, hyperglycemia, a metabolic acidosis, and a plasma pseudocholinesterase activity of 111 IU/L. Mean (+/- 1 SD) plasma pseudocholinesterase activity of 29 healthy llamas was 233.76 +/- 51.55 IU/L. Five to 8 days after topical application of chlorpyrifos (25 mg/kg of body weight) to 3 healthy llamas, the pseudocholinesterase activity decreased to 38% to 62% of pretreatment (base-line) activity and returned to within 90% of base-line activity by the 36th to 48th day after treatment.     

Effects of racing on hematologic and serum biochemical values in greyhounds

Blood samples were collected on nonracing days from 57 racing Greyhounds at 2 weeks, 8 weeks, 13 weeks, and 16 weeks after the beginning of the racing season. Hematologic and biochemical tests were performed to detect marked changes induced by stress of racing. In general, these Greyhounds were healthy. Rhabdomyolysis was detected in one dog. In several other dogs, possible subclinical muscle injury was identified by increased serum creatine kinase activities. Mean serum Ca concentrations tended to decrease during the racing season. None of the tests was a good predictor of racing performance. Mean values for several hematologic and biochemical tests were different from those of other breeds of dogs.     

Dimethyl sulfoxide (dimethyl sulphoxide) as a protectant against ozone injury to pinto bean

Various chemicals have been used to protect plants against ozone injury. The effectiveness of dimethyl sulfoxide (dimethyl sulphoxide; DMSO) in protecting pinto bean foliage against ozone injury was studied. DMSO protected bean foliage against ozone injury and was most effective at ozone levels above 800 μg/m³. DMSO at 100 μg/g (ppm) protected bean plants as well as did 1000 or 10 000 μg/g. This compound may be useful as a research tool for evaluating yield effects of ozone and for studying inherited resistance or susceptibility to ozone injury in the field in lieu of expensive field chambers and where site differences complicate the establishment of ambient air treatments and controls in the same area.     

Liver fluke infections of cattle in Mali. An abattoir survey on prevalence and geographic distribution

Six hundred and ninety two cattle, slaughtered in various abattoirs in Mali between August 1983 and November 1984 were examined for evidence of Fasciola gigantica and Dicrocoelium hospes infections. A great variation in geographic prevalence was observed. Sufficient knowledge was acquired to demonstrate both the importance of fascioliasis in some areas and also the high prevalence of D. hospes in other areas. We suggest that the difference in prevalence from one geographic area to another is influenced by local climatic conditions, presence or absence of rivers and lakes, and differences in livestock management practices by various ethnic groups.     

Enterohepatic circulation and biliary secretion of 5,6-dihydro-5,6-dihydroxy[14C]carbaryl glucuronide in the rat

Intestinal absorption (enterohepatic circulation) and biliary secretion of ¹⁴C from a metabolite of carbaryl isolated from rat bile, 5,6-dihydro-5,6-dihydroxy[¹⁴C]carbaryl glucuronide, and its aglycone were observed: Lincomycin and kanamycin sulfate were also given to rats to determine the effect of an altered intestinal microflora on the above processes. Net absorption of ¹⁴C from the glucuronide occurred in the small intestine and cecum of control rats (68.5%); 10% of the infused ¹⁴C was secreted in the bile. Antibiotic treatment affected the site of absorption and the biliary secretion of ¹⁴C from the glucuronide since net ¹⁴C absorption occurred only in the small intestine of antibiotic-treated rats (32.5%) and biliary secretion accounted for less than 1% of the infused ¹⁴C. The site of absorption of ¹⁴C from the aglycone and biliary secretion of ¹⁴C (17%, control rats; 14%, antibiotic-treated rats) were not affected by antibiotic treatment. Carbon-14 from the aglycone was absorbed primarily in the small intestine (89.3%, control rats; 84.2%, antibiotic-treated rats). The results indicate that the intestinal microflora influence the enterohepatic circulation and biliary secretion of the glucuronic acid conjugate of 5,6-dihydro-5,6-dihydroxycarbaryl.     

Seasonal transmission of bovine gastrointestinal nematodes in the Texas Gulf Coast.

Sentinel calves were placed in pastures for 1 month in two environmentally dissimilar areas of the Texas Gulf Coast to determine the seasonal transmission of various gastrointestinal nematodes. Transmission was determined for Cooperia spp, Haemonchus placei, Ostertagia ostertagi, and Trichostrongylus axei. Large numbers of Cooperia spp were acquired from May through November, with the peak of transmission occurring in July and August. Haemonchus placei was encountered on both field sites but was transmitted in large numbers only at one site, during August. Ostertagia ostertagi was acquired primarily from November through May, with the peak of transmission occurring in January and February. January through March was the period when the greatest numbers of Ostertagia larvae undergoing arrested development were acquired. Trichostrongylus axei was abundance in December and January at one field site. In general, trends of transmission were the same in both areas, indicating that weather conditions were most important than vegetation type in larval transmission.     

Serological prevalence of bovine babesiosis in Mali

Summary A serological survey of cattle in Mali was carried out to determine the prevalence of antibody activity toBabesia bovis andB. bigemina. It was found that the level ofB. bovis infection as indicated by antibody activities was too low to be of immediate concern. However, the serological prevalence ofB. bigemina was high and this may indicate a potential disease problem. It was also found that when zebu and N'Dama cattle grazed together the N'Dama were twice as likely to have positive titres toBabesia as were the zebus.

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Prevalencia Serologica De Babesiosis Bovina En Mali

Resumen Se llevó a cabo un análisis serológico en Malí, para detectar la prevalencia deBabesia bovis yBabesia bigemina. Se encontró, que la prevalencia serológica deB. bovis es baja para considerar la enfermedad una amenaza inmediata. Sinembargo, la prevalencia deB. bigemina fué alta, un problema potencial. Tambien se encontró, que cuando el ganado Cebu y N'Dama pastorea junto, el N'Dama presenta el doble de títulos serológicos deB. bigemina.

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Frequence Serologique De La Babesiose Bovine Au Mali

Résumé Une enquête sérologique sur le bétail au Mali a été effectuée pour déterminer la fréquence de l'activité des anticorps àBabesia bovis etB. bigemina. On a trouvé que le degré d'infection àB. bovis tel qu'indiqué par les réactions anticorps était trop faible pour constituer un souci immédiat. Cependant la fréquence sérologique deB. bigemina était élevée, ce qui peut indiquer un problème pathologique potentiel. On a aussi noté que lorsque les zébus et les N'Dama broûtaient ensemble, les N'Dama avaient deux fois plus de chance d'avoir des titres positifs àBabesia que ne l'avaient les zébus.