Vitamin deficiencies in cattle

Deficiencies of vitamins A, D, K, E and thiamin can cause severe limitations in beef production. In particular, vitamin A and E can be common causes of lost profit, secondary to limitations of reproductive and growth potential. Prolonged dry periods will reduce available A and E in pasture forage, as can ensiling and prolonged storage of harvested feedstuffs. Polioencephalomalacia is a thiamin responsive disorder, associated with high concentrate feeding and lush pastures. Antimetabolites, such as amprolium, will cause thiamine deficiency when fed in excess. Recent information has shown improved performance with supplemental beta carotene and niacin. The positive responses in reproductive performance, noted with cattle fed supplemental beta carotene, was independent of vitamin A. Supplementation of vitamins above National Research Council recommendations can be justified. However, proper evaluation of feed and animal status, and documentation of a response to supplementation is necessary before diagnosing deficiencies of specific nutrients.     

A novel HPLC method for glutathione-insulin transhydrogenase assay using fluorescence labeled insulin

The activity of rat liver glutathione-insulin transhydrogenase (GIT) was measured by HPLC. The degradation of fluorescein isothiocyanate-I (FITC-I)-labeled insulin is separated into several peaks, which are bound different amount of FITC-I. We selected mono-fluorescein-thiocarbamylated insulin to estimate the decrease of insulin content and it became possible to assay GIT activity. This novel method was time-saving and simple, and this system could utilize instead of previous method.     

Changes in the concentration of mRNAs for the inhibin subunits in ovarian follicles after administration of gonadotropins to progestin treated ewes.

RNA was extracted from single or small groups of ovine ovarian follicles after treatment of ewes with FSH and/or LH. The content of mRNA for the alpha-inhibin and beta A-inhibin subunits was analyzed by hybridization with specific cDNA probes. All ewes were treated with progestin vaginal pessaries to suppress spontaneous preovulatory follicle maturation and ewes were given three intramuscular injections of gonadotropins at 8-hr intervals starting 24 hr prior to collection of ovaries. In experiment I, both Schering-FSH and NIDDK-oFSH-17 (oFSH) significantly increased alpha- and beta A-inhibin mRNA per ewe in 2-5 mm follicles and tended to increase alpha- and beta A-inhibin mRNA in large (greater than 5 mm) follicles. In experiment II, oFSH and NIDDK-oLH-25 (oLH) were administered in a 2X2 factorial arrangement. Separate administration of oFSH or oLH increased (P less than .05) the alpha-inhibin mRNA concentration in large follicles. alpha-inhibin mRNA concentration in 4-5 mm follicles was also increased by oFSH but was decreased by oLH. Concomitant treatment with oFSH and oLH did not change alpha-inhibin mRNA concentrations from those measured in oFSH treated ewes. In experiment II, beta A mRNA concentrations followed a pattern similar to that of alpha A mRNA, but the differences were not statistically significant. We conclude that, in the ewe, exogenous FSH increases the concentration of inhibin mRNA in the whole follicle. The ability of exogenous oLH to alter expression of the inhibin subunit genes may depend upon the stage of follicle maturation.     

In situ hybridization analysis of ovarian prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase mRNA throughout the periovulatory period of the ewe.

Cellular alterations in level of expression of mRNA encoding for prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase were quantified within ovarian tissues of sheep obtained before, during and after induction of the preovulatory surge of LH and ovulation with LHRH. This was accomplished by isotopic in situ hybridization using a selective cRNA probe to ovine prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase mRNA. A significant elevation in mRNA was detected within the theca interna of the preovulatory follicle at 8, 16 and 24 hr following administration of LHRH. Very close to the time of ovulation (ie., at 24 hr post-LHRH) a marked rise in mRNA was observed in association with epithelial cells covering the apical surface of the follicle. Ovarian cyclooxygenase metabolites of arachidonic acid produced during the ovulatory process in the ewe originate within the thecal layer and germinal epithelium of the follicle destined to ovulate.     

Feline lameness.

Feline lameness is an increasingly recognized clinical problem. Today's veterinary practitioner must be comfortable with his/her ability to diagnose the various conditions responsible for lameness in the cat and be able to discuss the significance of their findings with the client. Disease of the feline musculoskeletal system can be grouped into broad categories, including: trauma, arthritis, infectious causes, developmental disorders, neoplasia, and muscular problems. Specific diseases from each of these categories will be discussed, particularly those that differ in their presentation or clinical behavior from that same disease in the canine patient.     

Acute infection of encephalomyocarditis (EMC) virus in Syrian hamsters.

One-month-old Syrian hamsters of the APA and Std: golden strains were inoculated intraperitoneally with 10(5) PFU/head of the D variant of encephalomyocarditis (EMC) virus and examined virologically and pathologically up to 7 days after inoculation. APA hamsters developed apparent hyperglycemia due to pancreatic islet cell damage while Std:golden hamsters did not. Hamsters of both strains showed clear histopathologic changes in the testis with prominent viral replication as well as in the brain, heart and exocrine pancreas. The susceptibility to EMC virus-infection was higher in males than in females and in APA than in Std: golden hamsters.     

Association between solar radiation and ocular squamous cell carcinoma in cattle

The association between ocular squamous cell tumors and various measures of solar radiation was evaluated for 2,775 contemporaneous Hereford cattle. The animals were from 34 herds located in 21 states in the United States and in one Canadian province. Examinations and photographs were made of the eyes of all cows and heifers in a herd; 33 herds were examined between June and August 1957 and 1 herd was examined in 1958. Solar radiation was measured by altitude and mean annual hours of sunshine applying to an individual herd, and global radiation, a cloudiness index, and elevation of nearby National Weather Service stations. All measures of solar radiation provided evidence of a significant association between increasing risks of developing cancer eye and increasing levels of radiation; adjustments were made for possible confounding effects of age and corneoscleral pigmentation. Associations were evident whether affliction was defined as the occurrence of any type of tumor (ie, plaque, papilloma, or carcinoma), or as the occurrence of only papilloma or carcinoma. Average ages of affected cattle also tended to be lower at high radiation levels than at low levels, further supporting the hypothesis that solar radiation has an important role in the development of this disease. In view of the heritability of eye pigmentation and its inhibitory effect on lesions, cancer eye may be controlled by selective breeding for increased pigmentation in and around the eye to afford protection against the harmful effects of incident UV radiation.     

Intracavitary Cisplatin Chemotherapy Experience with Six Dogs

Six dogs with a median age of 7 years (range = 5-14 years) were presented for signs referable to thoracic or abdominal effusion associated with neoplasia of the body cavities. Intracavitary cisplatin was administered at 50 mg/m2 every 4 weeks for a median of 2.5 treatments (mean = 3, range = 1-6). Three dogs with pleural mesothelioma had complete resolution of effusion for 289, 129, and greater than 306 days without evidence of tumor growth. Resolution of effusion occurred after one treatment in two dogs and after two treatments in one dog. In three dogs with carcinomatosis of unknown origin, complete responses was seen in two dogs after one treatment for 255 and greater than 807 days, respectively. Intracavitary chemotherapy with cisplatin was associated with palliation and control of malignant pleural and/or abdominal effusion in five of six dogs. Toxicity was minimal, and this method of therapy should be further explored in dogs with similar malignancies.