Effect of Dietary Supplementation with Hydrolyzed Wheat Gluten on Growth Performance,Cell Immunity and Serum Biochemical Indices of Weaned Piglets （Sus scrofa）

To investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with hydrolyzed wheat gluten (HWG) on growth performance, cell immunity and serum biochemical indices of weaned piglets, 160 crossed (Large White×Landrace) and weaned piglets were randomly divided into 4 treatments with 4 replicates of 10 piglets each. The piglets in each treatment were fed an experimental diet containing either 0 g kg-1 HWG (control group), 30 g kg-1 HWG (3% HWG group), 50 g kg-1 HWG (5% HWG group), or 2.5 g kg-1 glycyl-L-glutamine (0.25% Gly-Gln group). The results showed that the diarrhea rates in 3% HWG and 5% HWG groups were significantly lower than in control group from d 1 to 14 (P＜0.05), while the average daily gain (ADG) in each of two groups was increased (P＞0.05). When compared with control group, dietary supplementation with 3% HWG increased the ratio of CD4+:CD8+ and the ratio of serum albumin and globulin concentrations (A:G) on d 14 and 28, as well as the proliferation of T- and B-lymphocytes (P＞0.05) on d 28. In addition, on d 14 and 28, the A:G ratio in 5% HWG group was significantly higher than in control group (P＜0.05), while the ratio of CD4+:CD8+ increased slightly (P＞0.05). Interestingly, 0.25% Gly-Gln group had higher proportion of CD3+ (P＞0.05) and CD4+ (P＜0.05) on d 14 than control group, but growth performances of 0.25% Gly-Gln group were negatively affected at all experiment stages. These results suggested that HWG might improve the growth performance of piglets by strengthening cell immunity and decreasing the occurrence of diarrhea during the prophase after weaning.     

莱茵鹅15项血清生化指标的测定及分析

为了更有效地保护和利用莱茵鹅的优良基因,对北方种鹅场和双鸭山种鹅场的莱茵鹅血清进行了15项生化指标的测定及分析。结果表明:北方种鹅场和双鸭山种鹅场莱茵鹅血清三酰甘油、肌酐、直接胆红素、氯、镁、尿素氮、白蛋白和钙等血清生化指标之间的差异达到了极显著水平(P<0.01);血清总蛋白和总胆红素之间的差异达到了显著水平(P<0.05);而葡萄糖、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇、总胆固醇、无机磷和尿酸含量之间差异不显著(P>0.05)。研究还初步建立了莱茵鹅15项血清生化指标的参考值及参考范围。     

Surveys of cereal diseases and pests in the Netherlands. 2. Stem-base diseases of winter wheat

In the period 1974–1986, ca. 100 commercial winter wheat fields were surveyed annually for stembase diseases. In these years, on average 6% of the tillers was infected with eyespot in spring at the first-second, node stage. Eyespot intensity in spring was high in years with high temperature during winter. Eyespot, intensity in the milky-ripe stage in July, averaged 13% of the culms and was high in years with high temperature in April and high precipitation in March, April and May. These data may improve forecasts.In the milky-ripe stage, 2% of the culms were infected with sharp eyespot, but its intensity has gradually increased during the survey years. No significant correlation of sharp eyespot intensity with dry periods in autumn, spring or summer was found.Symptoms of take-all were found on 0.2% of the stem-bases during ripening. Its intensity was low in years with high precipitation in March, April, May and June and high temperature in May and June.Samenvatting Een honderdtal percelen wintertarwe werd in 1974–86 jaarlijks op voetziekten geïnventariseerd. In het voorjaar, tijdens het, eerste en tweede knoopstadium van het gewas, was gemiddeld 6% van de spruiten aangetast door oogvlekkenziekte. De intensiteit van de ziekte was hoog in jaren met een hoge gemiddelde wintertemperatuur. Tijdens het melkrijpe stadium, in juli was gemiddeld 13% van de halmen aangetast door oogvlekkenziekte. De aantasting in juli was hoog in jaren met een hoge temperatuur in april en veel neerslag in de maanden maart, april en mei. Met deze gegevens kunnen adviessystemen worden verbeterd.Scherpe oogvlekkenziekte was op gemiddeld 2% van de halmen in juli aanwezig. De ziekte nam geleidelijk met de jaren toe. De jaarlijkse intensiteit was niet gecorreleerd met droge perioden in de herfst, voorjaar of zomer.Symptomen van halmdoder waren op gemiddeld 0.2% van de halmen aanwezig. De intensiteit van de ziekte was hoog in jaren met weinig neerslag in maart, april, mei en juni en met een lage temperatuur in mei en juni.     

An advisory model for control of Puccinia recondita in winter wheat

Epidemics ofPuccinia recondita and resulting yield loss of winter wheat were studied in field experiments over three seasons in the Netherlands. Results are reported and used to construct an advisory model for control of brown rust, based on rust monitoring. If the fraction of leaves with rust (I) at a certain development stage is determined, the average number of rust sori per leaf (M) was estimated by: M=EXP(1.84+1.39ln(ln[1/(1-I)]). The final number of sori per leaf (Mf) at early dough was forecast by an exponential growth: Mf=M·EXP(RGR·t). The relative growth rate (RGR) averaged 0.163/day and the forecasting period, t, until early dough, was derived from published data. The forecast number of sori-days per leaf (S, AUDPC-value) was then obtained by: S=(Mf-M)/RGR. Yield loss (kg/ha) by brown rust was 1.15 times the number of sori-days per leaf at low rust intensities. The efficacy of the fungicides used was 85%. The forecast avoidable yield loss (L, kg/ha) was calculated by: L=0.85 (1.15 S). Economic thresholds for brown rust control at different development stages are given for Dutch wheat fields at a cost level of 270 kg/ha for one fungicide application.     

Epidemiology and control of Menangle virus in pigs

OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiology and eradication of Menangle virus infection in pigs. DESIGN: Field observations and interventions, structured and unstructured serological surveys, prospective and cross-sectional serological studies and laboratory investigations. PROCEDURE: Serum samples were collected from pigs at a 2600-sow intensive piggery in New South Wales that experienced an outbreak of reproductive disease in 1997. Serum samples were also collected from piggeries that received pigs from or supplied pigs to the affected piggery and from other piggeries in Australia. Serum and tissue samples were collected from pigs at piggeries experiencing reproductive disease in New South Wales. Sera and faeces were collected from grey-headed flying foxes (Pteropus poliocephalus) in the region of the affected piggery. Serum samples were tested for neutralising antibodies against Menangle virus. Virus isolation was attempted from faeces. RESULTS: Following the outbreak of reproductive disease, sera from 96% of adult pigs at the affected piggery, including sows that produced affected litters, contained neutralising antibodies against Menangle virus. Neutralising antibodies were also detected in sera from 88% of finisher pigs at two piggeries receiving weaned pigs from the affected piggery. No evidence of Menangle virus infection was found in other piggeries in Australia. In cross-sectional studies at the affected piggery, colostral antibodies were undetectable in most pigs by 14 to 15 weeks of age. By slaughter age or entry to the breeding herd, 95% of pigs developed high antibody titres (> or = 128) against Menangle virus in the virus neutralisation test. Menangle virus was eradicated from the affected piggery following a program of serological testing and segregation. Neutralising antibodies against Menangle virus were also detected in P poliocephalus from two colonies in the vicinity of the affected piggery. Two piggery workers were infected with Menangle virus. There was no evidence of infection in cattle, sheep, birds, rodents, feral cats and a dog at the affected piggery. CONCLUSIONS: Serological evidence of infection with Menangle virus was detected in pigs at a piggery that had experienced reproductive disease, in pigs at two associated piggeries and in fruit bats in the region of the piggery. Two humans were infected. The mode of transmission between pigs is unknown, but spread by faecal or urinary excretion is postulated. This virus can be eradicated by the segregation of pigs into discrete age groups.     

An Outbreak of Respiratory Disease Complex in Sheep in Central Ethiopia

An investigation was carried out into an outbreak of respiratory disease complex (RDC) in 3641 Menz and Awassi×Menz cross sheep in Central Ethiopia between 1998 and 1999 by clinical, serological, microbiological, post-mortem and histopathological examinations. The monthly incidence of RDC varied from 2.8% to 4.0% and the prevalence was as high as 17%. The case fatality rate was 18%, despite culling of sick sheep. Over 76% of the morbidity occurred in adults, followed by 19% among weaners. Similarly, 62% of the mortality was in adults. However, 27% of the mortality occurred in lambs despite the low morbidity in the group. Significant breed and age differences were seen in the morbidity and mortality rates (p<0.05). Clinical signs, gross and microscopic lesions and serological and bacteriological examinations showed an interplay of several causes of the RDC, including pestes des petits ruminants (PPR) (72.3%, serologically confirmed), lung worms, maedi-visna, bacterial bronchopneumonia (staphylococcal and streptococcal), enzootic pneumonia and some fungal infections. Cold temperatures, which may be as low as –8.5°C at night, are major predisposing factors along with managemental stresses. Vaccination of animals with a homologous PPR vaccine appeared to decrease dramatically the occurrence of the disease, showing that PPR played an important role in the outbreak. Several of the pathogens do not appear to be individually capable of causing the respiratory disease. Appropriate strategies for the prevention of RDC are suggested.     

The Distribution of Bovine Trypanosomosis in Zimbabwe and an Evaluation of the Value of an Anti-trypanosomal Antibody Detection ELISA as a Tool for Monitoring the Effectiveness of Tsetse Control Operations

Tsetse have been cleared from large areas of Zimbabwe during the past 65 years. In most areas, they are prevented from re-invading cleared areas by barriers of odour-baited, insecticide-treated targets. A trypanosomosis survey was conducted to determine the effectiveness of such barriers against re-invasion and to confirm the absence of tsetse in areas where they had previously been eradicated. Parasitological diagnostic methods and an anti-trypanosomal antibody detection enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (antibody ELISA) were used. The prevalence of trypanosomal infections in the tsetse-cleared areas was generally low. However, the prevalence of anti-trypanosomal antibodies was unexpectedly high in some areas. This high proportion of cattle with antibodies could, in most cases, be explained by recent or historic information on the distribution and density of tsetse. The results from the survey demonstrated the value of anti-trypanosomal antibody detection as an additional sensitive tool for monitoring the effectiveness of tsetse control operations.     

Genotyping of Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Viruses Isolated from Cattle in Northern Italy

Following the first official report of a clinically severe outbreak of bovine viral diarrhoea disease occurring in a farm in northern Italy, which had originated from the use of a live vaccine contaminated with a strain of BVD genotype II virus, a retrospective study on the prevalence of BVDV genotypes in Italy became highly relevant. For this purpose, the genotype of 78 BVDV-positive specimens, obtained in 1998–1999 from dairy cattle in an area near to where the outbreak occurred, was characterized by PCR technology. Two sets of primers, spanning the 5 UTR of BVDV genome, were used sequentially in a first round of RT-PCR, performed on viral RNA extracted directly from 15 clinical samples and 63 BVDV-infected cell-culture fluids; a second PCR assay followed to selectively amplify only BVDV genotype II. All the viruses under study were characterized as BVDV genotype I. As well as contributing to a better understanding of the prevalence of BVDV genotypes in the field, the results of the present study illustrate the possibility that novel BVDV strains can emerge in susceptible animals through the use of contaminated immunobiological products for bovine use.     

Preliminary Epidemiological and Clinical Observations on Shimao Zheng (Fleece-Eating) in Goats and Sheep

Veterinary Research Communications -